Ibrahim, an Iranian asylum seeker attempted to hang himself inside one of Nauru’s infamous tents yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.
The incident happened after the man heard news of Chris Bowen’s announcement that asylum seekers who arrived in Australia after 13 August, and in detention in Australia, will be released from detention on bridging visas.
Other asylum seekers in the detention camp have serious concerns about the man’s welfare. “He was in a really bad condition and they won’t let us see him,” one of the asylum seekers told the Refugee Action Coalition late.
Ibrahim was taken from the camp, but it was not known whether he has been taken to the medical centre or the hospital.
“Nothing more starkly demonstrates the way the Immigration Minister is victimising the small minority of asylum seekers that he is sending to Nauru and Manus Island. He has singled them out and condemned them to indefinite detention on Nauru. There is one rule for those sent Nauru and another for those in Australia,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“The Minister has guaranteed there will be more protests and more hunger strikes on Nauru. We strongly oppose Bowen’s re-badged temporary protection visas, but living in the community in Australia cannot be compared to the hell-hole the Minister has created on Nauru. His ‘no advantage policy’ is a policy of direct discrimination.”
Meanwhile Omid, enters his 42nd day of hunger strike. His fate is in the Minister’s hands.
Rally against the Pacific Solution 2.0 and the opening of Manus Island; and in solidarity with Omid, Nauru hunger striker, 43 days.
Friday, 23 November, 12.30pm; Labor Minister, Tanya Plibersek’s Office, 150 Broadway, Chippendale
For more information contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713, Nick Reimer 0435 533 027
