Twenty-three refugees flew from Nauru to the US today, Sunday 22 July.
The group includes two Rohingyan families, one couple with their three children; the other a father and his two sons. The rest are single men – Rohingyan, Afghans, Pakistanis and Tamils. The refugees’ final destinations include New York, Oregon and Colorada.
Over 1520 people including over 120 children remain held in offshore detention on Manus and Nauru with no sign that the US ban on Iranian and Somali refugees will be lifted.
More recognised Iranian refugees on Manus Island have been refused resettlement by the US in past two weeks. Similarly Iranian and Somali refugees on Nauru have been denied US resettlement.
Thousands of people marched in rallies across Australia, yesterday, (Saturday 21 July) to expose the myth of US or other third country resettlement options.
“There is no US deal that is going to resettle the majority of refugees on Manus and Nauru,” said Ian Rintoul spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“The government has created a humanitarian crisis in its offshore prisons. We need urgent action to bring all the refugees and asylum seekers from Nauru and Manus Island to Australia.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
