An Iranian refugee has become the latest victim of anti-refugee violence on Nauru.
Around 6am, yesterday morning (Tuesday, 31 March), the man was walking back into the Anabare lodge camp, when two local Nauruans approached on a motorcycle.
The locals got off the bike, and attacked; one of them produced a knife and slashed the hand and upper arm of the Iranian man. (See photos.)
He was later treated in hospital. Nauruan police have taken a statement regarding the attack.
Attacks on refugees have become increasingly common in the aftermath of the mass arrests of refugees who were peacefully protesting against offshore processing on 4 March.
Although one man lost his eye in a rock-throwing attack last November, there are concerns that the knife attack could represent a new level of violence directed against refugees on the island.
The knife attack follows a bashing of a refugee on Monday 30 March, when locals harassed two women who were walking with the man.
“Nauruan refugees are the victims of offshore processing, twice over,” said Ian Rintoul, for the Refugee Action Coalition, “They were randomly selected and forcibly sent to Nauru and now they are becoming victims of resentful locals, encouraged by official mistreatment.
“The situation is untenable. Instead of protection, refugees now face increasing danger on Nauru itself.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
