Wilson and Immigration officials continue to round-up so-called ring-leaders. Another seven people were arrested in Oscar Compound around 7.00am Manus time this morning.
This is in addition to the 17 that were taken out of Oscar Compound yesterday afternoon following the security raid on Delta.
Fifty-eight asylum seekers from Delta compound, singled out by Immigration officers, are being held in Lorengau prison following yesterday’s raid.
However, around 150 asylum seekers were returned to Delta Compound last night (about 9.30pm Manus time), where they are continuing their hunger strike. Delta Compound is still without drinking water.
It has become apparent that a number of other asylum seekers are being captured at the medical centre and being held in isolation rather than being returned to their compounds.
After six days on hunger strike, some asylum seekers are refusing to go to the medical centre for attention because Immigration is capturing some of them, taking them to isolation rather than return them to their compounds.
“The raids on Delta and Oscar compounds have only proved to the Manus detainees that PNG is not safe. They are continuing to demand that arrangements are made for them to settle in a safe third country,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
More footage of the security raid on Delta Compound has emerged, putting the lie to the official claim that there was a negotiated end to the blockade.
Despite the security crack down, more than 700 asylum seekers are still on hunger strike, and the Manus crisis continues.
Medical staff are overwhelmed by the number of people requiring attention.
More evidence of abuse has emerged from those being held in isolation in Chauka compounds. Asylum seekers detained in Chauka have been interrogated by Australian officials seeking information about “ring-leaders” in various compounds.
An update with further allegations of torture and mistreatment in Chauka and Delta Compound, prepared by Ben Pynt, director of Humanitarian Research Partners, has been sent to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Prohibition of Torture in Geneva. The first complaint, outlining the allegations of abuse was sent to the Special Rapporteur in November last year.
Meanwhile, the condition of Martin, the hunger-striking Iranian asylum seeker in Darwin, deteriorates by the day.
Protests over the next three days in Brisbane (today, 12.00pm, at Immigration office, Adelaide St; Sydney and Melbourne, Wed 21 January and in Canberra on Thursday, 22 Jan) will be in solidarity with Martin and to support the Manus Island asylum seekers and call for an end to offshore processing.
In Sydney, the Refugee Action Coalition’s protest will be Wednesday, 21 January, 12.30, Sydney Immigration office, 26 Lee Street (near Railway Square). Speakers include David Shoebridge, NSW Greens MLC, and sister of Manus Island asylum seeker.
A video of the attack on Delta Compound seen from another compound.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
