Five Nauru asylum seekers attempt suicide

The Nauru detention camp has been rocked by five asylum seekers attempting suicide in the last five days.

The latest attempted hanging was late last night (Saturday 2 Feb).

All of those attempting suicide were Iranian or Iraqi asylum seekers among those transferred from Australia to Nauru on 21 January, 2013

“Just as with the recent suicide attempts on Manus Island, those on Nauru reflects the despair and desperation that engulfs asylum seekers in the remote detention centres. Many are tricked into the transfers initially believing they are being moved into the community like others who arrived with them,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.

“People on Nauru still have no idea when their refugee process will begin. And conditions are deteriorating in the camp itself. The construction site for the new detention building has cramped the small site even further. The recreation space has been dramatically reduced.

There are constant complaints about the food and the limited medical facilities.

One Nauru asylum seeker told the Refugee Action Coalition, “The food is insipid and full of bugs. The medical centre is the same. There is nothing but paracetamol and, even for that you have to wait an hour at the gate of the detention centre.”

“The first thing on the agenda for the new Immigration Minister, Brendan O’Connor is to summon up the political courage that Chris Bowen lacked – and close the Pacific Solution hell-holes,” said Rintoul.

For more information contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713

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