Refugee Rights Action Network WA
The asylum seeker killed on Monday night in the Manus Island detention centre was a 24 year-old Faili Kurd. He was one of the first people sent to Manus Island by the Rudd Labor government in August 2013.
The man was also a resident of the Mike Compound in the detention centre that has been at the centre of the detainees’ accounts of the events on Monday night.
“This is not a ‘tragic incident’ as Minister Morrison has described it. It is a murder probably perpetrated by PNG police that Australia has contracted to provide security on the perimeter of the detention centre,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“It is also likely that the man was killed in the grounds of the Manus base, hardly a place where asylum seekers ‘place themselves at great risk’ as Minister Morrison has described, unless it is the contracted PNG police that are the danger.
“We are appealing to the government to ensure that there is a full coronial enquiry into the man’s death and that proper arrangements are made with the man’s family.”
SLIT THROAT
“Minister Morrison has also been very selective with the information about the serious injuries inflicted on the asylum seekers by PNG police and local employees of the G4S,” added Ian Rintoul.
“It is passing strange that Minister Morrison neglected to mention that among the injured evacuated from Manus Island was an Iranian man was flown to Port Moresby private hospital after having his throat slit at the detention centre on Monday night.
“Without a full and transparent inquiry into the events of Monday night, no-one can have confidence in the account being presented by the government.
“It is quite clear that the Australian government cannot guarantee the safety of people in detention on Manus Island. There must be an immediate moratorium on any transfers of asylum to Manus Island and arrangements made to bring the asylum seekers to Australia.“
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
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