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Trying to keep up with the media!
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has held closed talks with Papua New Guinea's Attorney-General and Immigration Minister about the detention centre. (The beginning of the end? I have my fingers and toes crossed.)
Azita Bokan, formerly translator at the detention centre, gave an interview to ABC radio, describing conditions in the camp - malnutrition, disease, people who are "mentally gone". There is no dentist, despite detainees "beside themselves with pain". Detainees are told that, if they protest conditions or make trouble, their applications for refugee status will not be processed.
(As someone who worked at the camp, Bokan's half-hour interview is well worth listening to, clarifying many details reported second- or third- hand in the media. I'll add her details about the two nights of violence to my earlier roundup of witness accounts.)
Reza Berati's family in Iran cancelled a memorial service, apparently fearful that officials would prevent the return of his body.
Berati's brother-in-law states that Reza was not one of those protesting on the night of his death. "When Reza opened the door and put his head out to look, someone pulled him out and started hitting him on the head. His cousin watched it all - it happened in front of the open door. Then they dragged him away - unconscious."
A friend of the family described Berati as an architect seeking work, rather than asylum. ETA:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
hnpcc points out in the comments that Berati's family would have good reason to deny he was fleeing persecution, now that they have been identified. Another possible explanation: Reza Berati was a Kurd - a seriously persecuted group within Iran, including discrimination in employment. For him to be seeking work to help his family would be completely compatible with his being a refugee.
Unaccompanied minors may have witnessed the violence.
Notes from the $5.6 billion money pit:
Detention firm GS4 received a refund from the Tax Office
Manus Island's $3.5m kitchen in a tent
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has held closed talks with Papua New Guinea's Attorney-General and Immigration Minister about the detention centre. (The beginning of the end? I have my fingers and toes crossed.)
Azita Bokan, formerly translator at the detention centre, gave an interview to ABC radio, describing conditions in the camp - malnutrition, disease, people who are "mentally gone". There is no dentist, despite detainees "beside themselves with pain". Detainees are told that, if they protest conditions or make trouble, their applications for refugee status will not be processed.
(As someone who worked at the camp, Bokan's half-hour interview is well worth listening to, clarifying many details reported second- or third- hand in the media. I'll add her details about the two nights of violence to my earlier roundup of witness accounts.)
Reza Berati's family in Iran cancelled a memorial service, apparently fearful that officials would prevent the return of his body.
Berati's brother-in-law states that Reza was not one of those protesting on the night of his death. "When Reza opened the door and put his head out to look, someone pulled him out and started hitting him on the head. His cousin watched it all - it happened in front of the open door. Then they dragged him away - unconscious."
A friend of the family described Berati as an architect seeking work, rather than asylum. ETA:
hnpcc points out in the comments that Berati's family would have good reason to deny he was fleeing persecution, now that they have been identified. Another possible explanation: Reza Berati was a Kurd - a seriously persecuted group within Iran, including discrimination in employment. For him to be seeking work to help his family would be completely compatible with his being a refugee.Unaccompanied minors may have witnessed the violence.
Notes from the $5.6 billion money pit:
Detention firm GS4 received a refund from the Tax Office
Manus Island's $3.5m kitchen in a tent
