Refugee supporters will hold a protest and vigil today, Thursday 5.30pm, Sydney Town Hall to mark 100 days since Reza Barati was killed on Manus Island and to call for an independent inquiry into Reza’s death and the brutal attacks on the asylum seekers on 17 February.
“The so-called investigations into the death of Reza Barati have degenerated into farce,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“One the one hand, the Cornall inquiry is riddled with contradictions and discredited by reports of collaboration between G4S and the PNG Mobile Squad. While on the other, the PNG police directly contradicts the Cornall inquiry and impossibly denies that PNG police were involved in the brutal assault on the asylum seekers,” said Rintoul.
“Deputy Police Commissioner Simon Kauba says only that the police blame two Papua New Guineans and two expatriates for Reza’s death but says nothing of the dozens of others that were involved in the murderous assault on Mike compound.
“Both inquiries are determined to whitewash their respective government and police authorities, while any semblance of independence is trashed. Despite constant claims by PNG police that arrests are imminent, it now seems highly unlikely that anyone will ever be charged. Any court action would immediately reveal that the PNG police investigation was tainted.
“Meanwhile, the Australian and PNG government have collaborated to shut down the PNG national Court inquiry led by Justice Canning.
“The release of names of asylum seekers and potential eye-witnesses who have given evidence of PNG police to the Cornall inquiry has put those lives at immediate risk. Calls to provide witness protection for the asylum seekers have been ignored.
“The daily threats to the asylum seekers cannot be shrugged off by Scott Morrison. He says he ‘aspires to make the asylum seekers safe’ but the killers of Reza Barati still have the run of Manus Island, and the G4S locals who were involved in the attacks are still employed by Transfield with the Minister’s approval.
“The detention centre on Manus Island is not tenable. Scott Morrison must bring the Manus Island asylum seekers to Australia and the detention centre must be closed.”
Below is a photograph of the bullet wound inflicted on the asylum seeker on the night of 17 February.
The doctor in Port Moresby has confirmed with the Refugee Action Coalition that the bullet was not removed. The wounded asylum seeker reports that the injury still gives him considerable pain.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul mob 0417 275 713
