Asylum Seeker Found Dead On Manus Island

An Iranian refugee in Australia’s offshore detention centre has been found dead in desolate bushland on Manus Island. The 31-year-old man, Hamid, was discovered early Monday morning in the Lorengau Township. Police are currently investigating the situation, however, it is believed the man took his own life after battling a series of mental health issues.

Amnesty International refugee coordinator, Graham Thom, labelled the death a “heartbreaking” incident that could have been prevented. “This death is yet another bleak tragedy to arise out of the ongoing suffering and tensions on Manus Island,” he said.

Manus Island has been surrounded by controversy since its opening in 2014, with many refugees claiming to have experienced physical and psychological abuse during their time at the offshore detention centre. Refugee Action Coalition spokesman, Ian Rintoul, expressed his disapproval of the Australian government and their inability to address the man’s mental health issues. “Hamid’s mental health problems were well-known for months. He had been held in prison at the Lorengau settlement, then was placed at the East Lorengau centre when he was released. Like all the others who have died on Manus, Hamid should never have been in detention or been on Manus. Detention had robbed him of his mental health and now it has taken his life.”

The death has reignited the debate surrounding Australia’s offshore detention centres, with many activists blaming the Australian Government and its immigration policies for his death. Green’s immigration spokesman, Nick Mckim, was equally frustrated with the methods employed – or in this case, not employed – by the Australian Government to combat mental health problems within the centre.

“As a result of those requests being ignored, there’s a very good chance if those requests had have been agreed to, he’d be alive today,” Senator McKim said. “A number of people contacted the Australian Government and Australia’s medical providers on Manus Island asking for this person to be brought to Australia, and he wasn’t. This is an absolutely avoidable tragedy.”

According to the Australian Border Deaths Database maintained by Monash University, the Manus detention centre has recorded seven deaths and countless cases of psychological trauma and physical injury since it opened three years ago.

The death comes just days after a number of protests within the offshore detention centre.

With the centre expected to close in October this year, the 700 refugees on the island are being asked to move permanently to the town. A number of asylum seekers are currently refusing to move from Manus Island, fearing for their safety in the PNG community.

Regardless of where the asylum seekers are moved to next, we can only hope that their living conditions are ameliorated and their mental health is properly addressed.

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