#IAmWatching Manus
Dec. 3rd, 2017 03:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamer_easyThe critical issue, I think, is now getting medical attention the refugees on Manus, who desperately need it even more than before. However, MSF was unable to access the camp to deliver their services, despite permission from Papua New Guinea; and the AMA was not granted permission by Australian authorities, which given MSF's experience I think they were wise to seek. The problem is that doctors will blow the whistle on the men's suffering. Better that they continue to suffer, even die, as the government knows by now that a refugee death constitutes little more than a transient embarrassment.
Putting aside all humanitarian, legal, and moral questions, as someone who relies every day on medical and psychological care to stay alive, I take this denial of health care personally. If they'll do it to refugees, they will do it to Australians like me - if they think they can get away with it. And right now, they're getting away with it.
There was our silence and their violence as Manus camp was evacuated (GA, 1 December 2017). Behrouz Boochani describes the evacuation of the original detention centre. On the same day he tweeted that two of the new detention centres lacked water, food, and electricity.
Manus Island case management staff forced to leave for their own safety after landowner protest (ABC, 28 November 2017). "Manus Province police commander, David Yapu, said the protest was by landowners linked to the company Peren Investments... 'The issue behind the road block was about the awarding of the contract for the case management.'"
Ethel, a Manusian woman, smuggled food and water into the now defunct camp. Amidst the tension and violence the compassion of locals for refugees and vice versa is remarkable and encouraging.
Writer Mark Isaacs Facebooked a photo of the refugee whose arm was broken by a machete blow and who has never received the needed treatment.
(Perhaps it's not surprising that guards working for Wilson Security on Manus have also had difficulty accessing medical treatment.)
Putting aside all humanitarian, legal, and moral questions, as someone who relies every day on medical and psychological care to stay alive, I take this denial of health care personally. If they'll do it to refugees, they will do it to Australians like me - if they think they can get away with it. And right now, they're getting away with it.
There was our silence and their violence as Manus camp was evacuated (GA, 1 December 2017). Behrouz Boochani describes the evacuation of the original detention centre. On the same day he tweeted that two of the new detention centres lacked water, food, and electricity.
Manus Island case management staff forced to leave for their own safety after landowner protest (ABC, 28 November 2017). "Manus Province police commander, David Yapu, said the protest was by landowners linked to the company Peren Investments... 'The issue behind the road block was about the awarding of the contract for the case management.'"
Ethel, a Manusian woman, smuggled food and water into the now defunct camp. Amidst the tension and violence the compassion of locals for refugees and vice versa is remarkable and encouraging.
Writer Mark Isaacs Facebooked a photo of the refugee whose arm was broken by a machete blow and who has never received the needed treatment.
(Perhaps it's not surprising that guards working for Wilson Security on Manus have also had difficulty accessing medical treatment.)
