Manus Island Solidarity Protest

Despite press reports of an end to protests there, at least 700 asylum seekers in detention on Manus Island are continuing a hunger strike in protest at their treatment. Hundreds of people have received medical treatment after losing consciousness. Dozens of others have sewn their lips together or been taken to hospital after swallowing razor blades and detergent. Despite violent attempts by authorities to break the protesters’ resolve, including imprisoning many of their leaders, the hunger-strike continues.

In an attempt to break the protest yesterday (Monday) guards burst into the Delta compound and forcibly removed all the asylum seekers there. Later 150 were returned to the compound but 58 were taken to Lorengau jail. Others were taken to the solitary confinement section in the centre called “Chauca”. Meanwhile a young Iranian asylum seeker in Wickham Point Detention Centre near Darwin is close to death after a long hunger strike.

These people now believe that they have been left no alternative but to take this desperate action. RAC stands in solidarity with the protesters on Manus Island. We demand the immediate release of all those currently held in solitary confinement, the transfer of all asylum seekers currently in detention to the Australian mainland, and a fair and timely processing of their claims while they live in the Australian community.

Join us at 5pm this Thursday 22 January at the intersection of Northbourne Ave and Barry Drive to voice your opposition to the shameful policies of the Australian Government – policies that last year cost the lives of two young refugees on Manus Island. We can’t let them claim more.

Please forward this email to your friends and colleagues, or invite them to the Facebook event.