Pregnant refugee attempts suicide on Nauru – one more reason to close Nauru

An eight months pregnant Somali refugee attempted suicide by drowning last night (Wednesday night, 11 February) on Nauru.

The Somali refugee who lives with her husband in the Nibok area, made the suicide attempt around 10pm Nauru time.

The Somali woman was rescued by a returning fisherman and was transported to hospital.

She is still in the hospital under observation. But her present condition is not known.

“The suicide attempt is one more indication of the desperate circumstances facing asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.

“The Human Rights Commission report on children in detention documents the appalling conditions on Nauru. Like the other asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru, the Somali family is a victim of the government’s offshore processing regime.”

“Nauru will not allow refugees to permanently settle on the island, so there is permanent uncertainty for refugees and their children. That uncertainty is taking its toll.”

One Nauruan refugee told the Refugee Action Coalition, “Like all of us, she is under too much pressure from Australian immigration. In our situation, this sort of reaction becomes natural.”

For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713

Follow us

Latest news