In a shocking development at the Manus Island detention centre, the only drinking water that was available for asylum seekers in Delta Compound, has been taken away.
For two days, asylum seekers have had to dig under the compound fence to try reach the bottled water. But this afternoon (Sunday 18 January), around 4.00pm, a forklift was used to remove the pallets holding the bottled water.
A photo of the asylum seekers reaching under the fence for the bottled water is above. The video here shows the forklift beginning to remove the pallets with the remaining water bottles.)
“The government and Transfield have sunk to new depths in their attempts to break the protests on Manus Island. In any conditions, to deprive people of drinking water, is nothing short of criminal; but given the relentless heat on Manus Island, such actions are simply beyond belief,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“Most people would not credit that the government would act with such cruelty. The government is also adopting a policy of not returning those who collapse inside the compounds. Thirty-three asylum seekers have not been returned to Delta compound after being taken to the clinic for medical attention.”
Delta Compound has also been without running water since Friday 16 January with asylum seekers trying to catch rainwater to be able to wash.
Security guards occupy Foxtrot compound
Transfield has also upped the intimidation in Foxtrot compound which has been occupied by around 40 members of the Emergency Response Team since around 5pm this afternoon (Sunday 18 January).
“They are trying to provoke a confrontation,” one asylum seeker told the Refugee Action Coalition, “But the protest will not stop. We are demanding that the forced transfer of refugee to Lorengau on 22 January be stopped. We need safe resettlement, but PNG is not safe.”
Meanwhile more asylum seekers are collapsing because of the effects of the hunger strike. In Foxtrot, they are carried on folded tables to the guard house to be transported to the medical clinic (video available on request). video) .
But as more asylum seekers treated at the clinic are not being returned to the compound, more people are refusing to go.
“The reckless behaviour of the Immigration Department is putting lives at risk,” said Rintoul, “The ball is in Peter Dutton’s court, but as the situation on Manus Island spirals downwards, the Minister is nowhere to be seen.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
