Tamil asylum seekers have been protesting for 87 days in Melbourne, Australia, as they continue to demand permanent visa protection.
Protests began outside the Department of Home Affairs in Melbourne on July 15 2024 as thousands of asylum seekers are living on temporary visas which are required to be renewed regularly.
Without permanent residency, asylum seekers do not have access to Medicare - Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, they do not have the right to work, study or travel and must report to the visa office every week.
The Labor Government pledged to abolish temporary protection visas. Whilst the government did grant permanent visas to most of the 19,000 refugees previously on temporary protection visas, it has failed to afford the same protections to those who claimed asylum after February 2023. This has left 9,500 asylum seekers living in uncertainty.
“We have lived in uncertainty for over 12 years,” says Harini Rathnakumar, a leader of the protest. “Our children have been born into this limbo, denied basic rights like education, healthcare, and work opportunities. We are calling on the government to fulfil its promises and end this inhumane treatment."
“We are not asking for handouts; we are asking for the chance to live with dignity and contribute to the society that has been our home for over a decade,”added Rathnakumar. “We fled war, persecution, and oppression, and sought safety here. It’s time for the government to show compassion and act on its promises.”
In August, Mano Yogalingam, a young Tamil man, self-immolated after waiting 12 years for a permanent visa and constantly fearing the threat of deportation.
The asylum seekers said they will continue their protests until their demands are met by the Australian government.
Read more here.
