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Migrant appeals for release of his wife

Migrant appeals for release of his wife

The husband of a Sri Lankan woman who has been deemed a security risk by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is making a personal plea to immigration minister Chris Bowen for her release.

Ranjini is currently being held in a detention centre following an ASIO ruling back in May, but her 36-year-old husband Ganesh believes her health could be at risk.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald that his wife has been suffering from anxiety and depression, meaning she should therefore be released into his care.

Ganesh was granted permanent Australian residency after living in Australia for eight years - he met his wife while she was in a community detention centre in Brisbane.

They married earlier this year and Ranjini was found to be pregnant when she was transferred to a Sydney immigration detention centre in May.

Ranjini is one of more than 50 people who face detention for the foreseeable future due to adverse ASIO assessments, however, a High Court ruling on the matter is expected within the coming weeks.

ASIO has so far refused to put forward specific allegations, which has led to a challenge to their detention being issued.

Ganesh is pleading with Mr Bowen to allow his wife to be released to his care, or at the very least moved to a community detention centre.

"As long as she is with me, I think it is better," he told reporters at the Sydney Morning Herald.

In some instances, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will refer visa applications to ASIO so they can undergo a security assessment, as migration consultants will know.

To ensure that processing is being undertaken properly, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is carrying out regular evaluations of ASIO's conduct with regards to security and assessment practices.

As of July 1 2011, the IGIS revealed that it would no longer be investigating individual complaints about delays to applications for permanent visas that are less than 12 months old.

For delays that are longer than this, assessments will be carried out on a case by case basis.

ASIO's primary role is to collect and evaluate evidence on threats to security both in Australia and overseas, therefore helping to protect citizens against a variety of crimes.

These include attacks to the defence system, sabotage, espionage, politically motivated violence and acts of foreign interference.

In the case of Ranjini, it has not been stated for which crime she is being held for.

 



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