On Sunday night a letter headed “A Message to Refugees Resettled In Nauru”, threatening the safety of refugees living on Nauru was secretly distributed throughout the refugee housing and the townships on Nauru.
The letter was distributed at refugee houses and compounds, but was also found pushed under doors of Nauruan house, placed on the windscreens of cars, posted on walls.
The threatening letter (attached) follows a series of physical attacks on Nauruan refugees. There have been more than ten documented incidents since late October, beginning with the bashing of refugee children and unaccompanied minors.
One refugee was forced to quit his job, after being accosted by three locals, who asked why he was working. They told him, “Next time if you come to work again we kill you.”
Although the Nauruan police (and Save the Children) have been notified of the attacks, there has been no response by the police.
On 1 November, one Iranian man, Mehrzad, was attacked and hit in the face with a rock (photos below). He was left untreated in the Nauruan hospital for days. It is now confirmed by a visiting Taiwanese specialist that he has lost 60 percent of his vision in his left eye and may go completely blind.
There is no treatment available for him on Nauru. The Refugee Action Coalition is calling for the Australian government to urgently bring Mehrzad and his family to Australia so he can receive proper medical attention.
The attacks and the letter has revealed that Nauru is a dangerous place for refugees and that neither the Australian government nor the Nauruan government can guarantee their safety.
“The use of Nauru as a dumping ground by the Australian government, the poverty of Nauruan society and the failure of the Nauruan government has allowed a minority who now physically threaten refugees to act with impunity,” said Ian Rintoul, from the Refugee Action Coalition.
“Refugees sent by Australia to Nauru now face persecution in Nauru.
Last Saturday night, two Nauruan locals accosted a refugee at a local shop. The refugee’s bicycle was smashed and he was urinated on.
One refugee told the Refugee Action Coalition, “The police protect the locals, not the refugees. Refugee status is worthless. Everyone is extremely worried; the future is dark.”
“The asylum seekers and the refugees on Nauru are Australia’s responsibility,” said Rintoul.
“The Nauru government has clearly stated it will not permanently settle refugees. Nor will they help to find a safe third country. The recent attacks show that temporary settlement on Nauru is untenable.”
The Refugee Action Coalition has called an emergency protest to call for Merzad and all refugees and asylum seekers to be brought to Australia.
Where: outside the Sydney offices of the Immigration Department, 22 Lee Street (near Central Station). When: 12.30 pm Wednesday 19 November.
For more information, contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713
