Wailing wall

I looked at these sad guys today, and saw myself.
I went to a funeral for a man just 30yrs old, who had run out of hope and had found an end to it all with a can of petrol and a match. My democratically elected government had systematically taken away his hope until there was none left.

I didn't know Leo, a Tamil asylum seeker, but after a life of being bombed by government forces in his own country, and time in over crowded Indian refugee camps, he took the risk of buying a passage to a new life, to Australia. He and his fellow travellers were intercepted and interred in prison camps by my government. Where they were treated in a way that was anticipated to send a warning to those thinking of making the same perilous journey. He was released last year into the community. He had a very rare thing, an asylum seeker visa with working rights. He worked as a translator for other Tamil asylum seeker arrivals in our community who are banned from any activity that would help them settle and become useful community members. No rights to education, no rights to employment.

Leo received notice that he would have to return to his home country which is deemed safe by our country for his return.
It was too much for this bright , kind and generous man.
Such was this man, that his very dying saved 5 Australians who received his donated organs.
I am so sad to be part of a country that dares to think that we are still too soft on asylum seekers.
God rest your soul, Leo.