Remaining detained refugees ‘traumatised’ and ‘distressed’ after one family was released

A GROUP of refugees who remain detained in a Darwin hotel are “further traumatised and distressed” after one family was arbitrarily released on Tuesday

John Lawrence QC, Kat Mcnanara and Billie McGinley attempt to deliver a letter to the Department of Home Affairs at their office in Darwin. Photograph: Che Chorley

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ELEVEN refugees in a Darwin hotel are “further traumatised and distressed” after one family was arbitrarily released on Tuesday, according to a letter sent to Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton demanding their release.

The letter, written by a group of protesters including prominent Darwin barrister John Lawrence QC and former Greens candidate for Nightcliff Billee McGinley, was delivered at Darwin’s Home Affairs office yesterday.

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Kat Mcnanara and supporters attempt to deliver a letter to the Department of Home Affairs in their Darwin office. Photograph: Che Chorley

After being told no one from the office was available to receive the letter, protester Kat McNamara read the letter out, which detailed the distress the remaining 11 refugees were in when protesters visited them on Tuesday evening. “They (the remaining refugee) are now … further traumatised and distressed by the unexplained actions of your department in leaving them detained whilst releasing only one family.

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“All of these people have been found to be genuine refugees and all of them should have been released at once.”

It comes after a family of four were granted bridging visas and was released on Tuesday. A Department of Home Affairs spokesman said: “The Department is aware of a peaceful protest which took place outside of the Department’s Darwin office earlier today.”