ASIO letter reveals why refugees deemed threat

17 April 2013 09:38 am - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

ASIO has told a group of Sri Lankan detainees that it regards them as a threat to national security because some of them have a history of violence in their homeland.

In a letter obtained by the ABC, ASIO says the group, held in a Melbourne detention centre, remains ideologically supportive of the Tamil Tigers.

The refugees received the letter 10 days ago. Until now its contents have been secret.

Since receiving the letters, some of the 50 Sri Lankans have gone on a hunger strike.

The letter is one of many sent to people in detention who had been granted political asylum but had still been held in detention for up to four years.

One Sri Lankan man was assessed as being strongly ideologically supportive of Tamil Tiger separatists and their aim of independence through the use of violence.

The letter says ASIO believes he is likely to engage in acts prejudicial to Australia's security if granted a permanent protection visa.

But Trevor Grant from the Tamil Refugee Council has challenged that view.

"The Tamil Tigers no longer exist," he said.

"They were wiped out in the war that ended in 2009.

"The other thing is that the Tamil Tigers have never been proscribed a terrorist organisation in Australia."

Supporters say the refugees should have the right to challenge ASIO's rulings in court, something they have not yet been allowed to do.

Among them, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who was banned from visiting the group.

"If an Australian citizen was considered a terrorist threat, there would be a due process under the law that they would go through," she said.

"There wouldn't be just an automatic locked up, throw away the key."

Mr Grant says those on the hunger strike are very weak.

"I talk to them quite regularly and they go through periods when they're very, very down," he said.

Four of them have been hospitalised since they began their hunger strike.

Nobody from the Federal Government was available to comment. (ABC News)

Order Gifts to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Vegetables, Grocery, Flowers, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Sending Money,Online Books, Delivery Service, Food Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop Sri Lanka

Comments - 8

saman Wednesday, 17 April 2013 10:11 AM

If they are genuine refugees running away from the fear of persecution, they should have gone to Tamil Nadu where Jayalalitha is waiting at the docks with the red carpet!

Suq Madique Wednesday, 17 April 2013 10:15 AM

Australia is doing the right thing because no matter docile the refugees are now, sooner or later their violent streaks will emerge and start causing disruptions down-under. .

lkboy Wednesday, 17 April 2013 10:45 AM

of course, so true. so true.

SB Wednesday, 17 April 2013 11:28 AM

Australia should take them and make model citizens of all who want to take a boat ride! Less problems for those who want to live in SL.

Madhawa Wednesday, 17 April 2013 12:04 PM

god bless mother lanka, truth will win oneday.

Grace Wednesday, 17 April 2013 12:09 PM

At last your people have started understanding the truth. It is not too late.

Miracle Child Wednesday, 17 April 2013 12:09 PM

we don't argue with you ...
pls keep them there..

Penny Thursday, 18 April 2013 12:32 AM

Some Aussies are still dumb to fight against their own government to protect HR of terrorist supporters. It seems that non proscription of LTTE is back firing on Aussies......Way to go mate!!!!

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

ASIO letter reveals why refugees deemed threat

Comments - 8

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

TNA was Born in 2001 Due to Elections Shock of 2000

Pain and punishment

Health System in the emergency room

Canada’s targeted sanctioning of Gota and Mahinda

SC judgement on Easter attack: Court rules negligence stood in the way of avoiding most heinous crime

Lasantha was a Fearless Editor who Spoke Truth to Power

That bullet wasn’t intended for her

Most Viewed in News

Maithripala accepts Rs.1,810 collected from begging

'I told her that I had a surprise for her, blindfolded her and then slit her throat'

India’s Gautam Adani accused of pulling the ‘largest con in corporate history’

UPDATE - Seven dead, several people injured in Thurstan College bus accident

House of Fashion assault - What really happened?

Bride turns into Mike Tyson and bites off husband’s ear for having beer with friend

TODAY'S HEADLINES

CA quashes Health Minister’s decision

SL Army earns over Rs. 1.5 b for nation-building tasks in 2021

Bride turns into Mike Tyson and bites off husband’s ear for having beer with friend

IMF insists on prior actions to be completed for programme approval however tough they are

MIRROR CRICKET

Hasaranga, Ranaweera in ICC T20I teams of the year

U19 Women’s captain Vishmi Gunaratne registers for WIPL

Royal, St. Peter’s declared joints champions

Milestone man Kohli leads India to record ODI win by 317 runs

Sri Lanka Baseball set to face Nepal in opener

Navy Targets Top Four

Thisara Perera to play Legends League in Qatar

Wellalage clinches a triple crown