Refugee Action Coalition (NSW) MEDIA RELEASE END IMMIGRATION’S SEIGE OF DELTA COMPOUND: WATER NEEDED NOW Delta Compound has gone 24 hours without drinking water, after Transfield removed the water bottles from outside the fence. Pictures attached show Delta detainees catching rainwater to try and relieve the water shortage on Monday 20 January. Also pictured are slogans inside Delta proclaiming their peacefil protest. “Depriving the asylum seekers of water is simply barbaric,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition. “It is wildly reckless of the immigration department to deprive asylum seekers of water. Watching Delta Compound is reminiscent of a medieval siege, as Immigration draws a metaphorical noose tighter around the compound, waiting until thirst takes its inevitable toll.” “The Minister is trying to create a phoney crisis by depicting the detainees as ‘aggressive”. There is no evidence for that. There are no threats by asylum seekers against staff. The threats are being made by security and immigration staff against asylum seekers.” “The protests have always been entirely peaceful. The Minister seems to be creating a pretext for the use of force against the asylum seekers. “At 2.30 Manus Island time, all Transfield staff were ordered to withdraw from Foxtrot Compound. Security staff have been patrolling Foxtrot Compound with impunity since early last night (Sunday). “Asylum seekers are growing progressively weaker. “Tragically, there are more self-harm incidents. Five asylum seekers self-harmed by drinking shampoo; one of them has been medivacced to Port Moresby for emergency treatment.” “Manus Island is a disaster in progress with greater tragedy waiting to happen. Reckless comments from the Minister dont help. Peter Dutton has tried to blame everything but the government’s own policies. The asylum seekers have a genuine fear for their physical safety. Safe resettlement on manus or in PNG is impossible. Until that is addressed the protests will continue.” For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 05:20:45 +0000
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