Today refugee detainees on Manus informed us that they have been attacked by the Australian lead and funded authorities on Manus. According to the reports, this operation is a joint effort by the AFP and the PNG authorities. Refugees on Manus have been protesting the forcible removal to another refugee camp and have instead been pleading to end over 4 years of human rights violations against them by closing the camps all together and ending unjust mandatory detention of refugees. Over the last 23 days the Australian government has ceased all food supplies, power and medical services which has put an already vulnerable community at an even further risk of harm.
Today, Australian led authorities entered the Manus torture camp and destroyed the belongings of all held there and began removing refugees forcibly one by one. Additionally the police have arrested refugees so far including Kurdish journalist and refugee Behrouz Boochani. Refugees are under attack; distressed and bashed while being forcibly removed. This Manus systemic designed torture operation MUST end and refugees who are held hostage on the island MUST be evacuated immediately and given permanent protection in Australia and, if they choose, New Zealand.
We eX-detainees condemn this this type of terrorist and illicit activity led by the Australian government. We also condemn all those who look to labour and Liberal MP’s for instruction as opposed to taking direction from those with lived experience such as eX-detainees.
eX-detainee and founder of RISE Ramesh Fernandez said “Manus is a designed operation, similar to operations carried out in Christmas Island and Cocas Island as well as in many other detention centres in mainland Australia. The Australian immigration officials are well recognised thugs who continue to function without any accountability in detention centres. Don’t be surprised because this has been going on for nearly 30 years now”
Furthermore, we eX-detainees believe that people should stop repeating slogans such as “not in my name”. These people have elected the politicians that support this torture of our communities and it is time to recognise the influence their vote has.
eX-detainees at RISE are calling for national and international wide action against the Australian Government for its inhumane treatment of refugees on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea.
While you take action on this urgent matter, get involved in eX-detainees #SanctionAustralia. RISE eX-detainees call for immediate pressure to be placed on Australia from major international human rights bodies in the way of sanctions that address their deliberate and inhumane mandatory detention policy and refugee boat push back policies. Specifically, Australia should be excluded from participation in all international humanitarian and human rights decision making processes until mandatory detention and refoulement of Asylum seekers and Refugees is abolished in Australia.
RISE eX-detainee Members.
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