Too many of the people who were detained on Manus and Nauru in July 2013 are still stuck behind wire eight years on. Most of them have been found to be refugees, fleeing the dangers of war. Some were still in their teens when they came to Australia alone.  Indefinite prolonged detention has since been made legal and there seems to be no clear path to safety. All are profoundly depressed (as we would be after such a prolonged lockdown). 

The best treatment for traumatic prolonged incarceration is freedom. Doctors know this. Release the Medevac cohort so that they can get healthy. Allow them the certainty of settlement here or in a safe country of their choosing. End the harm.

Breaking people in cruel, endless immigration detention is also more costly than letting them build up independent, workable lives. These are people who still have a lot to give.

Scott Morrison, his Ministers Karen Andrews, Alex Hawke and Peter Dutton could end this impasse and let the men trapped in detention into the community. They have done so for many others who are just like them and who are now recovering, contributing and even thriving.

Your voice can persuade the Australian Government that eight years is too long and that a #FairGo4All will make our nation kinder, stronger and more respected than keeping hostages as deterrents under indefinite, harsh detention. 

Please click here to sign this petition and then share it far and wide.

#8YearsTooLong