Save My Son's Life

Save My Son's Life

Started
20 May 2021
Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 700 supporters!

Why this petition matters

Started by Neil Schultz

Mark Basa is a young man who originated from PNG but came to Australia in 2000 with his family at the age of 11.  At the age of 15, he was involved in an altercation with a number other boys and one of those boys was killed.  Mark, the only coloured boy among them, was the only one charged and convicted of murder.  

Mark was released from prison after completed his sentence nearly three and a half years ago but was immediately taken to the Villawood Detention Centre where he remains.  The government intends to deport him because he does not pass the ministers 'good character' test.

Complicating this further, while Mark was in prison he experienced a medical emergency and he lost one third of his pancreas.  He is now dependent on medication to replace his pancreatic function.  Without this medication he will die -  and this medication is not available in PNG.  His mother, father and two siblings all live in Australia as either citizens or permanent residents.  

Mark should not be sent back to PNG where he will surely die.  Mark's father, has prepared a video appealing for his son's life.  Watch it here.

While this is tragic story for one young man, it highlights a bigger story in this country.  The obvious point, whether the majority of the High Court agrees or not, is that indefinite detention is harsh, punitive, and inhumane. In the case of Mark Basa, the record of the current federal government needs to be considered. The record shows that people who do not pass the Minister’s character test are deported, and if that cannot be done, they stay in detention indefinitely. There should be no doubt that the character test applied by the relevant minister is determined by that minister. It does not need to be based on any principles, and despite any wording that may be used it is the equivalent of the application of administrative fiat.

This case is important to Mark and his family, but it is also important to ensure justice is maintained in this country, arbitrary imprisonment cannot be allowed on the basis of a minister's discretion.  Mark needs to be released so he can rebuild his life with the support of his family.  Any course which sends him back to PNG is no different from imposing a death sentence.  Any course which leaves him in permanent detention, is arbitrary imprisonment.

It is in the power of the Minister to release Mark.  Please sign our petition to insist that the responsible minister do what needs to be done to have Mark released.

Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 700 supporters!

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