MEDIA RELEASE CLOSE NAURU HELL-HOLE – TWO ATTEMPTED SUICIDES The Refugee Action Coalition has condemned Immigration Minister Scott Morrison’s announcement that Nauru detention will be expanded and that more family groups will be sent to Nauru. “Nauru is a hell-hole that should be closed,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “ The conditions are atrocious and it is unfit for anyone let alone families and children.” Two asylum seekers have attempted suicide in the last four days – the most recent, yesterday (Monday 23 September) was an attempted hanging by an Afghan asylum seeker. “While around 150 single men have been shifted from Nauru to Curtin detention centre in recent weeks, the others left behind are living in appalling conditions. They have not been told when they will be moved off Nauru. Around 200 are still waiting for the answer to their refugee assessments that were completed before the 19 July fire. There is no doubt there are genuine assessed refugees being held on Nauru and in Curtin ” said Rintoul. “Although scores of charges against supposed rioters have been dropped, others are still being kept in a separate fenced area of the main camp. Two of these asylum seekers are on hunger strike. “The unseemly haste to expand detention on Nauru has left all the asylum seekers in dire straits. “There are no adequate facilities for families in the family camp. Marquees are the only accommodation and the camp is located in one of the hottest places on the island, with no proper recreation area or health care. “There are also increasing reports of abuse and beatings by Nauruan guards in the main camp. Tension among the Nauruan community since fire destroyed the original detention centre on 19 July is spilling over into brutal treatment by the guards. “There is an urgent need for independent human rights oversight on Nauru. Nauru is another place that Scott Morrison wants to keep away from scrutiny.” For more information contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 03:05:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015