Advocates for her family’s release claim her condition is in part due to the circumstances on Christmas Island.

“Asylum seekers have increased vulnerability because of the uncertainty and length of the visa determination process, which contributes significantly to poor mental health outcomes. So timely permanent settlement solutions for families is essential.”

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 09: Members of the public are seen holding signs during a vigil outside the Perth Children's Hospital on June 9, 2021 in Perth, Australia. Three-year-old Tharnicaa, the daughter of the Tamil family from Biloela in Queensland was medically evacuated from detention on Christmas Island to receive medical care in Perth after becoming sick. The family have been detained on Christmas Island since 2019. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

A vigil is taking place today at 3.30pm outside Perth Children's hospital to call for Priya, Nades and their daughters Kopika and Tharnicaa to be released from immigration detention and returned to Biloela, Queensland.

Tharnicaa, the youngest daughter of the Tamil family detained on Christmas Island, is currently in Perth Children's Hospital with pneumonia.

Advocates for her family's release claim her condition is in part due to the circumstances on Christmas Island, claiming she was only given painkillers despite symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and temperature sometimes exceeding 40 degrees.

 

 Australian Medical Association WA President, Andrew Miller said Tharnicaa's health was set up to fail.

"No child can be raised in a prison-like situation and remain healthy, physically and mentally," he said.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has called on the Federal Government to address her plight.

"Ask any GP and they will tell you that the detention of children and prolonged detention of adults has been shown to cause a range of adverse long-term physical, psychological and developmental effects," said RACGP President Dr Karen Price.

"We believe that detention of vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and survivors of torture and trauma should be avoided, and for others it should be strictly for the minimum time possible.

"Asylum seekers have increased vulnerability because of the uncertainty and length of the visa determination process, which contributes significantly to poor mental health outcomes. So timely permanent settlement solutions for families is essential."

 

 

"GPs have a role in advocating to address the barriers to equitable healthcare that exist for refugees and asylum seekers, it's as simple as that."

World Vision Australia has also called for the immediate removal of the Biloela Tamil family from Christmas Island.

"It is clear that the indefinite detention of children of this age, separated from friends and peers and denied a normal, daily existence, would be causing real and serious harm to them," said CEO Mr Wordsworth.

"As a child-focused organisation, World Vision cannot stand by and watch these two very young girls pay the price of a dispute over their parents' eligibility to remain in Australia. I am sure anyone who cares about the wellbeing of children would agree that holding two innocent children in offshore detention is a gross injustice."

The vigil is taking place outside of Perth Children's Hospital at 3:30pm today (Sunday 13th of June 2021).
 

Originally published as Advocates for her family’s release claim her condition is in part due to the circumstances on Christmas Island.