There has been no let-up in the number of attempted suicide and self-harm incidents among refugees on Manus Island.
Local police stepped up patrols around the perimeter of the refugee camps last night (Thursday, 30 May) after a 30-year-old Iranian refugee was cut down by local Manus residents after being found hanging near the Hillside camp.
A few hours earlier, a Sudanese refugee had also tried to hang himself inside the Shamrock compound but was cut down by guards and local police.
Meanwhile the local hospital is still under strain, unable to cope with the increase in refugee cases. This morning (Friday 31 May), one of the refugees who has been in Lorengau hospital outpatient area since a suicide attempt a week ago, slashed his wrists with glass louvres from the hospital window.
One refugee has been left sleeping outside the hospital since he swallowed 26 needles and nails, five days ago (see photo ).
In Port Moresby yesterday (Thursday), one refugee took an overdose of medications, while another self-harm incident was treated at the Pacific International Hospital.
“The list of urgent cases grows longer by the day; and urgent action is needed by the government to evacuate refugees from Manus Island,” said Ian Rintoul, “There is no excuse for six years detention and no excuse for inaction in the face of the humanitarian crisis on Manus lsland. It is only a matter of time before one of the suicide attempts is successful and the government adds to its grisly offshore detention toll.”
The Refugee Action Coalition is holding a snap protest today, Friday 31 May, at 5.30pm at Sydney Town Hall. Speakers include Tom Kiat (Greens councillor, Inner West council) , Dulce Munoz, Mums for Refugees, and Sydney University Campus Refugee Action Coalition.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713
