(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
The Abbott Government's refugee policies have been branded "cruel and inhumane" at the funeral of a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum-seeker who took his own life by setting himself alight.
With Leo Seemanpillai's family denied visas to attend, church leaders have hit out at the Immigration Minister over his case.
Gareth Boreham reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
They came from all walks of life to farewell a man who came to the Victorian City of Geelong and made an extraordinary mark on a community that embraced him.
Leo Seemanpillai was determined to help those in need, while suffering his own private anguish.
Father Pancras Jordan read from the asylum-seeker's journal, which revealed the fears leading up to his suicide.
"If I am deported back to Sri Lanka, torture is certain because I am a Tamil."
The service was streamed live to an Indian refugee camp and watched by his parents, who were denied visas to come to Australia.
Political leaders were criticised from the pulpit over border protection policies.
"Leaders who normalise cruelty, vilify voiceless people and rob the world's most vulnerable people not only of their rights but their dignity."
Candles lit for a refugee whose experiences of trauma had given him an intense fear of the dark.
The 29-year-old was remembered as a remarkable young man who immersed himself in the Geelong community.
One of his employers described him as having the strongest work ethic he had ever seen with an infectious smile that hid the inner torment.
Rob Henschke hired Leo in his asphalt paving business.
"Morals undoubted...ethics incredible."
Mr Henschke's wife Kath recalled a bubbly personality.
"He was just lovely, friendly and he would put anyone before himself. He is really missed and we are just really sad."
Sentiments shared here and abroad.
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