Asylum seekers and refugee advocates have growing concerns for the welfare of two Syrian asylum seekers who have been on hunger strike for around 60 days.
“It is an international scandal that that the Australian government is imprisoning Syrian asylum seekers on Manus Island. They should never have been sent to Manus Island. The Minister must bring all the Syrians – there are seven of them – to Australia. Can there be any doubt that the Syrians are refugees?” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“The Syrians’ plight demonstrates the sheer brutality and the arbitrariness of offshore processing.”
The asylum seekers have requested to be sent back to Syria but have been told by the International Organisation of Migration that Syria is too dangerous for them to be sent there.
The asylum seekers have only been drinking water but have occasionally been placed on a drip in the medical centre. One of the hunger strikers, Hilal (photo at right), has lost between 15 and 20 kilograms, since he began the hunger strike.
Hilal was sent to Port Moresby in January 2014 for treatment for his asthma. There is a recommendation from the treating doctor at Port Moresby hospital that he not be returned to Manus Island (excerpt from the medical report attached, along with text pasted below)
“A number of asylum seekers on Manus have contacted us to say they are extremely concerned about the welfare of the Syrians,” said Ian Rintoul.
“We are extremely concerned about their welfare. It is obvious their health is deteriorating and they are extremely distressed about the circumstances of their families in Syria. Medically, politically, there is no justification for the continued mistreatment of the Syrians. This is just one of the reasons that Amnesty International declared that detention on Manus Island was a form of torture.
“Nor can the Minister guarantee their safety from further attack inside the detention centre.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
Text of medical report:
MANUS DETENTION CENTRE
RE: Mr Hilal Hammoud (dob 01/011979) = Medical Report & Recommendation
Mr Hilad Hammoud suffers from asthma since he was a child. He was medivaced from Detention Centre on 23rd January, 2014 and admitted to the Pacific International Hosptial.
Medication from Manus include Prenisone 40 mg as well as various bronchodilate administered parenteral steroids in Manus Island for few days prior to his medivac.
On examination his oxygen saturation was 92% on room air. He is thin and showed features of chronic obstructive airways disease. His respiratory rate was 18 breaths per minute. pulmonary blood pressure was 110/70 mmHg. His chest was hyper-extended and has experiated lungs. Systemic findings were unremarkable.
Chest x-ray done showed thin cardiac silhouette with increase bronchial markings consistent of chronicity of the parenchymal lung pathology.
From my observation, the extreme temperatures is not good for him. High humidity will tend to make his condition worse. Similarly, extreme cold always….the air condition at night times in the ward.
Recommendation:
1. He requires the service of a chest physiotherapist 2. He should not be sent back to Manus Island on th humanitarian and… 3. While recommendation 2 is considered, he should remain at PIH for treatment
Paul Mondia Consultant Physician
DR. PAUL MONDIA MBBS, M.MED
CONSULTAT PHYSICIAN
SPECIALIST INFECTIOUS DISEASES
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL
P.O. BOX 6103. BOROKO, N.C.D, PNG
