Dramatic scenes unfolded at a Perth detention centre yesterday as police dragged away protesters trying to stop a young Sri Lankan family from being flown out of Western Australia.
Eight protesters linked arms and sat in the driveway of the Immigration Department’s detention centre in Redcliffe to try to stop a van leaving for the airport at 7am.
Inside was a young Tamil couple from Sri Lanka and their six-month-old baby girl who were later flown to Darwin on their way to the Australian Government’s Nauru detention centre.
The couple, who arrived in Australia eight months ago seeking asylum, were previously held on Nauru but were moved to Perth – where they have family members – for the woman to give birth.
As police dragged protesters out of the way, the father called out to refugee advocates: “Thank you, thank you for trying, thank you for helping us.”
No one was arrested but one police officer fell on a protester during the fracas while another protester said she had her arm twisted.
The Refugee Rights Action Network said the couple are among about 25 families who are being sent back to Nauru.
“We saw this as a grave injustice. The mother’s parents are living in the community in Perth . . . they’re going to be separated for Christmas,” RRAN spokeswoman Sarah Ross said.
“They are scared and upset. They were detained on Nauru before and they know what awaits them. They fear their baby’s health and welfare.”
Refugee advocate Victoria Martin, who has visited the Sri Lankan family regularly, said: “This family delivered their baby here – an absolutely gorgeous little girl. This is a family that has survived war, torture, injury and grief.’’
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has said no asylum seekers would be sent back to Nauru until January, so the family are expected to be held in Darwin for now. - Perth Now
