[Lasnetmail] Zheng Xio Yan/Asylum Seeker/ longest female detainee in Australia

[LASNET]

Dear Friends & Human Rights Activists,

The longest female detainee, Zheng Xiao Yan, is going to the Migration 
Review Tribunal (MRT) on Tuesday 4th Feb at 9.30am.

Zheng Xiao Yan has spent 3 ½ years at Villawood Detention Center. She is the 
longest female detainee in Australia.  Her prolonged incarceration and 
isolation has taken its toll, Ms Zheng is suffering from severe depression, 
anxiety and insomnia. There is serious concern about her state of mind and 
safety.

Professor Louise Newman, Ms Zheng's psychiatric, recommended electric shock 
treatment as her psychotic medications are at the highest level and they are 
not working in controlling her depression, anxiety and insomnia. .

Dr. Newman has also recommended removing Ms. Zheng from Villawood Detention 
Center to a mental hospital.

On13th Feb 2008 the Commonwealth Ombudsman recommended to the parliament to 
release or find an alternative detention for Ms. Zheng.

The Migration Minister has failed to act on those reports.

Zheng Xiao Yan relies desperately on community support. Your presence during 
the hearing is very important. Some human rights activists and friends will 
attend the hearing. If you can make it or if you can invite others to attend 
it to support Zheng at the MRT will be immensely appreciated.

If Ms Zheng is released from detention into the community, her basic needs, 
safety and emotional support are guarantees. There are many human rights 
activists who are prepared to support her, in one way or another, for the 
period that she is not able to work and or contribute to her expenses.  Her 
partner has been waiting for the moment that he can help and assist her more 
effectively. Ms Zheng will be far better off out of the detention center. Ms 
Zheng and the Australian community will benefit having Ms Zheng soon 
incorporated in the Australian community.

Friends, Ms Zheng’s hearing is taken place at Level 11, 83 Clarence Street.

If you cannot attend, you can write to the tribunal in her support. You can 
either fax or email the Tribunal Office. Please refer to her file number; 
MRT file no: 0801163. The Tribunal Officer is Emma Zreika. Her e-mail 
address is: emma.zreika at mrt-rrt.gov.au and her Fax number is: 9276 5599.

The hearing should not take a long time.

Friends & Human Rights Activists lets support and demand Zheng’s release 
from Villawood Detention Centre. Let help Zheng and her partner to resume 
with their normal life in Australia.

For more details you can contact: Hussein, Motahar on 0401 665 916 or 
Veronica Meneses on 0405991877.


In Solidarity,


Veronica Meneses
Education & Welfare Officer
International Students Department
Newcastle University Students' Association




*****Confidentiality and Disclaimer Statement******
If you have received this email in error, please advise the sender and 
delete the message and attachments immediately.  This email, including 
attachments, may contain confidential, legally privileged and/or copyright 
information, the unauthorised use of which is prohibited.  Any views 
expressed in this email are those of the individual sender, except where the 
sender expressly, and with authority, states them to be the view of the 
International Students Department of Newcastle University Students' 
Association (ISD - NUSA).