A 23 year-old Iranian asylum seeker on Manus Island attempted suicide on 5 January.
The young man attempted to hang himself with bed sheets in Oscar Compound, the compound with the most restricted communications. The conditions in Oscar compound were condemned in the recent Amnesty International report into the Manus Island detention centre.
The present condition of the young man is not known.
However, asylum seekers inside the detention centre report that the man was unconscious when he was cut down and was taken out of the detention centre. He has not yet returned to the compound.
“This is one of the most serious suicide attempts recently reported from Manus Island. And it is an indication of the deteriorating conditions on the island. Despite the recent reports that refugee processing will be begin in February, they have been saying that for the last year. Asylum seekers on Manus Island have no hope that their asylum claims will be properly assessed, ” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
The attempted suicide comes amid reports of a G4S guard mocking the self-harm attempt of an asylum seeker on Manus Island on Christmas Island.
“There needs to be an independent inquiry into the operations of Manus Island. The December Amnesty International report described conditions on Manus Island as ‘cruel, inhuman, degrading and violating prohibitions against torture’.
“The Minister cannot hide behind G4S – the detention centre is the Abbott government’s responsibility. The inhuman conditions are pushing asylum seekers to attempt to take their own lives. What greater indictment of government policy could there be?”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
