Urgent legal action to prevent pregnant woman being returned to Nauru

Last minute legal action is underway in an effort to prevent the government from removing a pregnant Iranian woman to Nauru. She has been told she will be returned there as soon as Sunday.

The 31 year-old woman, who is 28 weeks pregnant was brought to Brisbane after being struck in the stomach by a soccer ball a couple of weeks ago.

“It says volumes about the lack of adequate medical services on Nauru that she had to be brought to Brisbane in the first place. Why is the government trying to send a pregnant woman, only a few weeks from giving birth, back to a place that is so badly resourced,” asked Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.

“The lack of facilities is also obvious because of the number of pregnant women that are being sent off Nauru. There are at least four pregnant women in the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation and another in Brisbane detention.

“The conditions on Nauru are not fit for new-born babies. The extreme heat, the lack of water, the unhygienic conditions, are shocking for everyone. It is a disgrace that the government would inflict such third world conditions on new mothers and babies that are under the care of the Australian government. It is a form of child abuse.

“The family is a victim of Morrison’s efforts to make a political example of pregnant women. Her pregnancy was confirmed on Christmas Island only days before being sent to Nauru around a month ago. She was only on Nauru 10 days before she was hit by the soccer ball.

“We are calling on the Immigration Minister to intervene to prevent this woman being sent back to Nauru and to immediately declare a halt to any further transfers of pregnant women.”

For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713

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