I refuse to believe that my ancestors fought in wars to defend this country only to grow smug and lose all sense of humanity.
I believe I inherited a sense of responsibility and fairness from these Aussie warriors. They cared more for truth and justice than the state of their mortgages. That was the Australian way, in a former time.
I am equally horrified, disgusted and appalled by what this hypocritical federal government is exposing children to, behind the walls and razor wire of detention centres.
It is emulating the apparent lack of regard the US shows for human rights. This is not the 1780s: haven’t we learnt anything?
Bad enough that the original peoples of this land are being ‘removed’ from their land, but to incarcerate a man for six years who committed no crime is beyond belief.
Let’s hold the politicians accountable. What is their logic? If you lock up people (who are simply trying to improve life for their families), treat them cruelly and inhumanely, for no reason, you are obviously going to damage them permanently. That is, if they survive.
RIP Saeed Hassaloo (aged 24).
Sarah Smith, Mullumbimby
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
