Victimised refugee hunger striker discharged from hospital

After four days in hospital Armin, the 37-year-old Bosnian hunger-striking refugee, has been discharged from the Royal Brisbane hospital, on Friday 4 December. He is presently being held on the 70th floor of the Meriton Hotel Apartments in Adelaide Street, Brisbane.

Armin was taken from the Brisbane detention centre (BITA) to hospital by ambulance on Tuesday, 1 December, after developing medical complications during his ninth day on hunger strike.

Armin had been on a hunger strike in protest over being held in Moreton, BITA’s high security compound, as punishment for defending people in immigration detention from abuse and publishing video clips of armed police and forcible sedation inside the detention centre.

He was also demanding that Border Force make arrangements for his return to Bosnia before Christmas this year. After signing to voluntarily return in October this year, Armin had been told that he ‘won’t be going any time soon,’ and was punitively transferred to the Moreton compound.

Following his discharge from hospital, Armin was first taken to BITA, but was then taken to the 70th floor of the Meriton Hotel Apartment, another Alternative Place of Detention in Brisbane. Border Force has not made their future detention intentions or arrangements for his return to Bosnia, known to Armin.

“We are demanding a commitment from Border Force that Armin will not be placed in Moreton,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.

“We are also calling for a full inquiry into the unaccountable powers of Serco and Border Force to punish people being held in detention, and into Armin’s punitive detention in particular.”

Meanwhile, following more forced transfers of protest organisers from the Kangaroo Point hotel to BITA, Border Force has now closed the hotel balconies that overlook one of Brisbane’s busiest roads, and have been the scene of daily protests since March this year.

“Border Force has been desperate to stamp out the protests at Kangaroo Point and other hotels,” said Rintoul, “But while the protests may not be as visible, they will continue until the medevac refugees are freed.”

Unions for Refugees are holding a speakout protest outside Kangaroo Point hotel (721 Main Street) at 5pm, Tuesday 8 December.

For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 2785 713

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