Hi,

I have attached a press release I am about to send out. I was informed last night that this website has been blocked from being accessed within Villawood.

As frustrating as this news is, as i’m sure it is for you everyone who has taken the time to send a letter, do not give up! We have enlisted the help of some of Ranjini’s friends who have offered to print the letters and deliver them to her. I am also still hopeful of a dialogue with Serco to resolve the situation.

Thank you all for your continued support, please keep the letters coming – we will get them to Ranjini one way or another.

Thanks,
Anthony

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Serco, the operator of the Villawood detention centre, has blocked detained refugee Ranjini from accessing a website of letters written to her from friends, family and strangers sympathetic to her situation. However, an attempt yesterday to show Ranjini the letters was blocked by Serco’s computer system.

Ranjini and her 2 young sons were separated from her husband and taken to Villawood after receiving a negative security assessment from ASIO. She is facing indefinite detention at Villawood.

Since Ranjini’s story was reported last week, LettersForRanjini.com has been visited nearly 1300 times and received over 60 letters of support and hope. We urge people to continue to send these letters, as we have friends of Ranjini who will print and deliver them personally.

Serco have not returned our calls this morning.

“This is a further example of the Australian government’s appalling treatment of a pregnant mother who was finally settled in Australia after being forced to flee her home country. 

Aside from locking her up and separating her from her family and friends without telling her why and with no grounds for appeal, Serco are now denying her access to some letters of hope and support. 

I understand the need for monitoring internet usage within detention centres, however given the amount the rate of mental illness and suicide attempts within these facilities, I don’t understand why Ranjini is not allowed access to a site built to support her. I am more than happy to remove content that Serco believes is inappropriate in order to meet their access requirements. 

Letters For Ranjini was established as a means of letting Ranjini know that despite our governments actions, there are many Australians who would love to have her in our community. We hope Serco will allow us that opportunity.”

- Anthony Bieniak, curator of lettersforranjini.com