I fled genocide in Burma
with my wife and children
We were separated in Indonesia
There wasn’t enough room in the van taking us to the boat heading for Australia
All the time I think about what happened
When I close my eyes
I can see that van leaving
A week after my family arrived in Australia
the Rudd government announced
the July 19 policy
This meant that people who arrived in Australia by boat
would be sent to Manus Island or Nauru
and never resettle in Australia.
When I arrived in Australia I was sent by force to Manus Island
My family are now living on bridging visas in Sydney
but I’ve been detained on Manus Island for almost 5 years
When I talk to my youngest son on skype
He asks me,
“When are you coming?”
“When are you coming?”
I can’t say anything in response
I do not know if or when we’ll be together again.
Justice4Refugees WA 