The first anniversary of the killing of Reza Barati will be marked by vigils, protests and other actions around the world.
GetUp is organising a “Light the Dark” event asking people to light a candle to mark the year since Reza was brutally killed and scores of others savagely injured when PNG police provided cover for the murderous attack by expatriate and local G4S employees.
On Manus Island, where scores of people still carry the physical scars of the savage attack, asylum seekers hold their own ceremonies inside the detention centre.
In New South Wales, a dramatic sky-writing event, “Shut Down Manus “ will appear above the Sydney Opera House (1pm) and Canberra (3pm). (Press release with details will follow.)
International vigils are planned in The Hague, Paris, Geneva, Belfast and Wellington. There will also be a vigil in Melbourne.
In Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast protests will be held this Friday, 20 February. In Sydney, a protest vigil is planned for Friday, 20 February, 5.30pm at Sydney Town Hall. Speakers will include a relative of Reza’s family, other Iranian refugees, The Greens and the Refugee Action Coalition.
“One year, since Reza’s death and there is still no justice. The investigation has all the signs of being a cover-up. Two locals who have been charged with Reza’s murder remain in jail, but there is no sign of the trial that could expose more details of those involved in the attacks. Eye-witnesses have not been interviewed,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“The PNG police investigation has already cleared PNG police from involvement although the evidence of them shooting asylum seekers that night is incontrovertible.
“There is no sign that the PNG police are actively pursuing the expatriates they allege were involved in Reza’s killing.
“But the real responsibility for Reza’s death lies with the Australian government. The brutality that was unleashed on defenceless asylum seekers on 16, 17 February 2014 remains a pervasive feature of the Manus detention centre.
“The ruthless suppression of the recent mass hunger strike has seen the detention centre become even more a prison-camp. Around 36 so called ‘ringleaders’ remain in isolation in Charlie Compound where the fence has been wrapped in plastic to prevent people seeing in or out.”
“There will no justice for Reza until all of those involved in his murder are on trial and until Manus is closed and all of the asylum seekers are brought to Australia.”
For more information, contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
