Tamil Asylum Seeker Dies After Self-Immolation

Mano Yogalingam, a 23-year-old Tamil asylum seeker, died in Melbourne after self-immolating in protest against Australia's immigration policies, highlighting the plight of over 8,000 individuals facing uncertain visa statuses. Yogalingam had been involved in a 46-day protest seeking permanent visas and suffered severe burns before succumbing to his injuries in the hospital. The Tamil Refugee Council condemned the government's treatment of asylum seekers, stating that his death was a direct consequence of the psychological torment inflicted by inhumane policies. Advocates criticized the legacy of the 2014 fast-track system that left many asylum seekers in limbo and called for urgent action from the Labor government. Friends and community members mourned Yogalingam's tragic fate, emphasizing the hopelessness felt by many in similar situations. The Department of Home Affairs expressed condolences but refrained from commenting on individual cases due to privacy concerns.