Senator Andrew Bartlett
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
 
One child freed, another child born into detention

In another example that public pressure can be effective, the Immigration Department decided to free 3 year old Naomi Leong and her mother from the detention centre where she has spent her whole life. This is great news, but it also shows that the suffering and harm this girl endured was unnecessary, even under our current harsh laws. There is still uncertainty ahead for this child but at least she isn't imprisoned while this difficult case is sorted out.

It is also a reminder that there are still 6 children on Nauru, 5 of whom have been in detention for over three and a half years - longer even than little Naomi (the 6th is a 2 year old - like Naomi, also born in detention)

Hopefully the Government will be quicker with the newest child in detention, baby Michael Andrew Tran, born yesterday in detention in Perth to two Vietnamese asylum seekers who have been locked up on Christmas Island for nearly two years. I am told baby and mum are currently in a hospital in Perth, closely guarded by detention officers who will not allow visits even to deliver gifts for the newborn and his mum – we have to keep our borders protected after all!


- today there are still 68 children detained by Australia's Immigration Minister

posted by Andrew Bartlett @ Tuesday, May 24, 2005 Permalink
|


<< Home