A Tamil asylum seeker died in horrific circumstances after dousing himself in petrol and setting himself on fire during a protest against the federal government’s refugee policies.
Mano Yogalingam, 23, suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body in Melbourne’s Dandenong region on Tuesday night and was rushed to the Alfred Hospital. He died hours later on Wednesday.
The Tamil Refugee Council said Yogalingam’s death highlighted “the devastating impact of the government’s refugee policies under newly appointed Home Secretary Tony Burke.”
Spokesman Rathy Barthlote was at his side when he died.
“Mano was only 23 years old and had his whole life ahead of him,” he said.
“But the psychological torment inflicted by the Australian government’s cruel and inhumane policies, compounded by personal challenges, brought him to a point where he believed he had nothing left to live for.”
Mr Yogalingam, a Christian from the Puttalam region of Sri Lanka, was 11 years old when he and his family arrived in Australia by boat from India in 2012.
Her parents and five children had fled their home country due to alleged threats from the Sri Lankan military.
Mano Yogalingam (pictured), 23, suffered burns to 80 per cent of his body and died from his injuries at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on Wednesday.
The family was detained for several months upon arrival in Australia before being released into the community.
‘Mano had been waiting for more than 12 years to find out if he could stay in Australia and escape the persecution he feared in Sri Lanka,’ Mrs. Barthlote said.
“I was very aware of statements made by Home Secretary Tony Burke expressing his intention to deport asylum seekers who have fallen victim to the accelerated process.”
Mr. Yogalingam’s mental health deteriorated under the pressure of visa uncertainty, according to Ms. Barthlote.
He said many Tamil asylum seekers had told him they would rather die in Australia “than be sent back to face torture in Sri Lanka”.
“I had always hoped that it would just be words. Unfortunately, it seems that is not the case,” he said.
The lawyer said that “countless refugees are losing their lives while waiting for permanent visas.”
The Tamil Refugee Council said Mr Yogalingam’s death highlighted “the devastating impact of the Government’s refugee policies” under Home Secretary Tony Burke (pictured)
“We now mourn the loss of another young man who, like so many other young Tamils on bridging visas, woke up each day wondering if this would be the day he would be forced to return to the persecution he fled,” Barthlote said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Burke for comment.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Children’s Helpline (for young people up to 25 years old) 1800 55 1800.
