Lanka Tamils Approach UN for Settlement Issue in Aussie

31 August 2011 04:30 am - 2 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Four Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, who were denied visas in Australia after being assessed as a potential security threat, are among a group of immigrant detainees who are seeking UN intervention into their case.

The men who are in immigration detention have been assessed as genuine refugees, but had their visas knocked down after being declared security threats by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), an ABC report said.

They are part of a group of 38 immigration detainees who are directly petitioning the United Nations to be immediately released into the community.

The men said they left behind their lives, family and country in 2009 because they were harassed by the Sri Lankan military and paramilitary forces.

"We lived in constant fear, we wanted to escape that and lead a normal life - that is why we have come here," Subramaniam Kokulakumar, one of the Tamils, was quoted as saying.

But after having their refugee claims upheld, the men were denied entry on security grounds.

"ASIO claims that we are a threat to national security," Tamil asylum seeker Sithiraseyanam Nigethan said.

"We have been classified as such even before we had entered the country. We don't know what to do next and it is affecting us psychologically," he said.

Another asylum seeker, Nararatam Selvakumar, said he had no links to the Tamil Tigers, yet their fate was hanging in balance.

"A murderer may be imprisoned for 10 years. But us, who have not done anything wrong, are here for an unknown period of time. No one is able to give us an answer," he said.

"I have a common knowledge of the Tigers, just like any other person in Sri Lanka. I know as much as what the international community knows. I don't know any more than that," Nigethan said.

Commenting on the issue, law expert at Sydney University, Ben Saul, said many people in Sri Lanka would have had some association with the Tamil Tigers.

"In a civil war like that, everybody in the north or east of Sri Lanka has some association with the Tamil Tigers. The Tamil Tigers (were) the government," he said.

Saul has been co-ordinating an appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Committee on behalf of 38 asylum seekers in indefinite detention. The case also affects three children.

He said they cannot go back home because they have already been assessed as genuine refugees. (PTI)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 2

dilan Wednesday, 31 August 2011 09:12 AM

Economic refugees.....Why does he leave the family and come if they are in danger?...he will work in australia, earn money and send back to their family in SL so they can live a comfortable life......typical economic refugeese....

raj Thursday, 01 September 2011 04:54 AM

Agreed.....If his family is in danger, Why did he leave them and come.....How selfish.....just shows this guy is lying....

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.

Lanka Tamils Approach UN for Settlement Issue in Aussie

Comments - 2

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

New Visa procedure implemented

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

April 15 declared a government holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings