A 31-year-old Bangladeshi refugee, Rafi (not his real name), was singled out and bashed when a rascal gang robbed the general store in Boroko, Port Moresby, where he was working last Saturday 13 June, around 2.10pm.
Rafi was taken to the back of the shop by four or five gang members. He was beaten and robbed of his money and mobile phone; receiving head, hand and other injuries when he was bashed with a metal bar (see photo). He was also savagely bitten on his chest, buttocks, and neck.
Following the attack, Rafi was hospitalised for 24 hours in the Pacific International Hospital, where his head wound was stitched, and his numerous other cuts and bites were treated. He has been unable to work since the attack, suffering severe headaches and pain from the bites, as well as being anxious about being attacked.
It is the just latest physical attack on refugees in PNG, demonstrating that PNG is not safe for the refugees sent there by the Australian government in July 2013. Almost all refugees and asylum seekers have been attacked at least once; many have been attacked multiple times.
“After almost eight years, Rafi, like almost 200 others in PNG, is still being held without safety or secure resettlement. They have no future in PNG, ” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
Despite being a refugee, Rafi was rejected for US resettlement.
“The government tried to ignore its responsibility for the refugees they have kept offshore for eight years. They have tried to ignore the dubious deals they have made with corrupt contractors to do their dirty business in PNG. It’s time they brought all the refugees and asylum seekers to Australia and given the protection they need,” said Rintoul.
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 04178 275 713
