Friends, I can’t believe I’m writing this: Another Tamil mum urgently needs our help.
Like Priya, Reeta has lived in Australia for more than 10 years, after escaping terrible danger in Sri Lanka. But unless Immigration Minister Andrew Giles steps in, officials could separate Reeta from her son Dixtan - forever.
Please, can you sign and share Reeta’s urgent change.org petition right now?
It’s been a while since I’ve been in touch. After welcoming Priya, Nades and the girls home to Bilo last June, I learned I was pregnant with my first child. In March, I gave birth to a beautiful little girl who has been keeping me busy in a whole new wonderful way!
Priya and her family have been busy too. Nades has been working two jobs and Kopika and Tharni have been having lots of fun at school with their friends. Priya is learning to drive, and working on her book, which should be out in October. But when Priya heard about Reeta and her son Dixtan’s situation, she wanted to help.
As Priya explained to SBS News: “Tamils in Sri Lanka continue to face grave challenges, as successive governments have failed to provide a political resolution to them; these unresolved issues make it unsafe for any asylum seeker like Dixtan to return to Sri Lanka.”
Together, we kept Priya and her family safe from the terrible dangers Tamil people face in Sri Lanka. Can you help keep Reeta and Dixtan together, by signing Reeta’s petition?
Reeta’s story is absolutely heartbreaking. Her husband was killed when Sri Lankan government forces fired heavy artillery into the so-called ‘no fire zone’ where they told her family to shelter. Then, government soldiers sexually assaulted her in her own home.
She had to escape Sri Lanka, but when the chance came, she had no choice but to leave Dixtan in the care of her elderly mother, in the hope of reuniting in a safe country. Reeta found safety here in Australia in 2012, but an unfair policy made it all but impossible for refugees who came by sea to reunite their families.
On 5 August, it will be a year since Minister Giles granted permanent residency to our Biloela family. But with officials threatening to force Dixtan from Australia as soon as 7 August, this day of celebration could be followed by tragedy for Reeta and Dixtan.
Under Australian law, Minister Giles has the power to intervene for Reeta and Dixtan, just as he did for Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharnicaa. Please sign Reeta’s petition now, so we can have even more reason to celebrate next month.
With hope,
Angela