Twenty-nine unaccompanied minors have been released from the family compound detention centre on Nauru as protests and self-harm continue in and out of detention.
The twenty-nine boys were released on Tuesday and have now been housed in the refugee residential family compound and in two houses nearby.
The surprising move came as daily protests and instances of self-harm continue in the family detention camp, OPC 3.
There were clashes between security guards and detainees on Monday night after one of the under-age detainees who had stitched their lips collapsed and was taken to the IHMS medical centre.
The 16 year-old had been without food or water for three days. IHMS took the opportunity to unstitch his lips but dumped him back into the detention centre within hours. Detainees were disgusted that he had not been given proper medical attention.
On Tuesday, an Iranian husband and wife were also taken to the medical centre after swallowing washing powder. Another man suffered numerous cuts to his head in a self-harm incident.
Five people still have their lips stitched shut.
Over 300 asylum seekers protested on Monday and Tuesday nights. Another protest is planned for tonight (Wednesday night).
Protests by those found to be refugees on the island also continue after their successful march on the Australian High Commission on Monday. Around 100 of the refugees held a stationary protest at the residential compound last night (ie Tuesday night). They too, plan more protests for today, Wednesday.
Above is a photograph of one of the protests inside the OPC 3 detention centre.
The situation on Nauru has spiraled out of control since the announcement by Minister Scott Morrison last Thursday, that people who arrived in Australia by boat after 19 July 2013 but were not sent to Nauru or Manus Island could be processed and resettled in Australia, while those sent to Nauru and Manus would remain in indefinite limbo.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
