Tensions remain high on Manus Island following attempts by Transfield’s “riot squad” to enter Delta Compound yesterday afternoon.
Asylum seekers in both Delta and Oscar compounds have now barricaded the gates to their compound to prevent any further attempts to attack the protest.
In retribution, no food has delivered to either compound since yesterday afternoon, meaning even those not on hunger strike are being collectively punished for the protest. To make matters worse, there is no running water in the compounds again.
Bottled water also ran out at Delta Compound. Shamefully, Transfield refused to distribute the water that was stockpiled just outside the compound’s fence, after asylum seekers refused to open the gate to allow a forklift to enter. Asylum seekers were forced to reach underneath the fence to try to retrieve the water (see photo).
Yesterday’s attempt to break up the protest came after threats from Transfield management that unless the protest was ended and asylum seekers co-operated, the protest would be forcibly broken.
As the hunger strike entered the fifth day, scores of asylum seekers are being treated in the medical clinic after collapsing in their compounds.
More medical staff reinforcements are expected to arrive on Manus Island today.
Asylum seekers are demanding that the immigration department halts the forced transfer, scheduled for 22 January, of those found to be refugees to insecure temporary housing in the Lorengau settlement.
“Yesterday, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, claimed, ‘We’re happy to negotiate and discuss the situation,’ but there have been no attempts to discuss or negotiate – only threats,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“The asylum seekers are terrified of a repeat of the February attacks last year. They have good reason. Just this morning, Wilson security guards made more threats that refugees will die as soon as they move out of the detention centre.
“One of them said, ‘You should keep on hunger strike and die here, because you will be killed as soon as you are outside.’
“The government should halt the forced transfer of the refugees on 22 January. The ad hoc transit accommodation on Manus is no solution. Refugees cannot work and cannot stay on Manus Island.
“The stark fact is that the refugees cannot be safely resettled in PNG. The new Immigration Minister will have to face up to the gaping hole in the government’s offshore processing policy.”
For more information, contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713
