Orphaned boy family euphoric over release

18 Feb 2011, 6:33 pm   -   Source: SBS - Shalailah Mhedora
5 Comments
Share This
+ Comment
5

The family of a boy who survived the Christmas Island boat disaster say they are overjoyed the nine-year old has been allowed to stay in Australia, SBS' Shalailah Medhora reports.

RELATED

The family of a boy who survived the Christmas Island boat disaster say they are overjoyed the nine-year old has been allowed to stay in Australia.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen last night announced the boy will be released from detention and moved to Sydney, after facing a barrage of criticism and a potential lawsuit.

The images of the orphaned boy weeping at his father's funeral after surviving a harrowing boat accident have reignited Australia’s asylum seekers debate. 

Refugee advocates were outraged after nine year old Seena was sent back to the Christmas Island detention centre, rather than being allowed to stay in Sydney with his family.

Then last night, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen yesterday announced his department would promptly move Seena out of detention.

 

Jaffar Al Ghban is Seena's second cousin. His family fled Tehran nearly a decade ago, and has lived in Sydney ever since.

He says he's ecstatic his young cousin can stay close to his family.

"His family is so happy. He’s got the feeling he’s not alone anymore. There’s someone to look after him, to be with him,” Jaffar told SBS.

He says he warned his family of the dangers of coming to Australia by boat.

"I tried ot tell them not to come this way. It’s not a safe way to come but it was their decision. They made that decision and it was worng but I can’t do anything about it and I am really sorry about what happened".

Human rights lawyer George Newhouse had prepared to mount a legal case against Seena's detention.

"I’ve got a factory of people coming through my doors with problems that have risen from the lack of treatment in detention," he told SBS.

While he Is pleased the nine-year old has been released, he is concerned for the other survivors of the Christmas Island tragedy.

Seena is expected to arrive in Sydney for good next week, along with his aunt - another survivor of the boat accident.

Seena's family hopes that when he's released from detention he will stay here, at the family home in Bankstown, in Sydney's west. But his future is far from certain. 
 

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Your Comments

Orphaned boy family euphoric over release

Madeleiner Kingston - from Victoria Australia, 1 year

I strenuously object to distortion of my ratings to the above responses. I ticked Disagree to response one by Shatter NSW and Agree to response from Penny Lee, but ratings showed exactly the opposite response after ticking. What is the point of participating in online comment if this occurs? The Govt response to this matter was appalling. Neither Govt has anything to boast about. Both major parties simply do not use a moral compass of any description.

get in line

Ernie - from Geelong, 1 year

I suppose that this little boy will get VIP treatment ahead of Australian children on waiting lists. Waiting lists that would be non existent if we were'nt diverting money to support illegal gatecrashers. Sick of these illegals.

LAW BREAKERS

Garry T - from ANNANDALE SYDNEY, 1 year

If i was to hop on a boat and enter their country, with out any papers or lawfull reason, would they take me in and give me a home, food and free plane flights, hotel stays in syney and such. NO THEY WOULD NOT! Charrity begins at home, strart to feed and house the many homeless and hungry, jobless aussies doing it tuff on the streets!

Consider mass voters

Shagger - from NSW, 1 year

Another back flip from this government under duress from do-gooders. Let’s not forget that this boy has been living in an APOD and not at the detention center since his arrival. Bowing to the pressure is not applying due process. Those died in the Christmas Island shipwreck should have been buried in Darwin and not Sydney, for this very reason. Let’s not forget that they were unlawful non-citizens. Labourn/Greens - how about considering the opinion of majority Australians?

Seena

Penny Lee - from Stirling, 1 year

I am glad that Seena has been able to live with relations here who can demonstrate love and care for him. I hope they will give him special love and consideration now and right through his life, but I also hope that eventually they and all the officials involved in his recovery from trauma will allow him space to enjoy an ordinary childhood with ordinary family life. Let too much moaning on his behalf change into giving him quiet security that comes from being a valued family member.

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.