dreamer_easy (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dreamer_easy) wrote2014-02-28 01:30 pm
dreamer_easy) wrote2014-02-28 01:30 pm
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Weekly Refugee Posting 3: Manus Island
Last stuff from Papua New Guinea; then a couple more for other topics.
The terms of review for the government's investigation into the fatal violence have been released. ETA: Looks like there will also be a Senate inquiry.
Although the security contract for the centre is changing hands, the new contractors will continue to employ local security staff. Hopefully this will not include those involved in the fatal violence.
A former Sri Lankan military officer is working as an operations manager at the detention centre, raising concerns for the thirty or so Tamils being held there. A Human Rights Law Centre spokesperson said: "There's a high likelihood that the Tamils being held there are fleeing persecution at the hands of the Sri Lankan military. This isn't about the activities of this one man. It's about [the] way that Australia takes care of the asylum seekers who are in its custody."
The ABC's Fact Check finds that both Australian and PNG are responsible for the detainees' well-being.
Humanitarian Research Partners report on the water and sanitation situation at the detention centre.
Investigative journalist Rory Callinan describes interference with Australian journalists reporting on the detention centre from G4S staff, the police, and even an Australian immigration official.
Human rights advocate Ben Pynt, arguing for journalistic access to the detention centres, makes the interesting point that "In the UK, where only some asylum seekers are detained, anyone can visit immigration detention facilities at any time." (Presumably because they are not, as Liz Thompson describes Manus Island, "designed as an experiment in the active creation of horror".) A former Australian MP working as a safety and security officer at the detention centre - now resigned - makes the interesting point that stories of heroic conduct by Australian staff on the night cannot be told because of the confidentiality agreements.
A ruling by PNG's Supreme Court clarifies the right of organisations to challenge the detention centre's legality.
Last but not least: Jon has written a heartfelt account of the candlelit vigil for Reza Berati held in Sydney and around Australia. It was wonderful to be part of the event, because images of, and messages from, the crowd would reach the asylum seekers still imprisoned on Manus. There's very little chance these postings will ever be seen by an asylum seeker, let alone be of any use to them, but what we all did that night will make a difference. Corragio!
The terms of review for the government's investigation into the fatal violence have been released. ETA: Looks like there will also be a Senate inquiry.
Although the security contract for the centre is changing hands, the new contractors will continue to employ local security staff. Hopefully this will not include those involved in the fatal violence.
A former Sri Lankan military officer is working as an operations manager at the detention centre, raising concerns for the thirty or so Tamils being held there. A Human Rights Law Centre spokesperson said: "There's a high likelihood that the Tamils being held there are fleeing persecution at the hands of the Sri Lankan military. This isn't about the activities of this one man. It's about [the] way that Australia takes care of the asylum seekers who are in its custody."
The ABC's Fact Check finds that both Australian and PNG are responsible for the detainees' well-being.
Humanitarian Research Partners report on the water and sanitation situation at the detention centre.
Investigative journalist Rory Callinan describes interference with Australian journalists reporting on the detention centre from G4S staff, the police, and even an Australian immigration official.
Human rights advocate Ben Pynt, arguing for journalistic access to the detention centres, makes the interesting point that "In the UK, where only some asylum seekers are detained, anyone can visit immigration detention facilities at any time." (Presumably because they are not, as Liz Thompson describes Manus Island, "designed as an experiment in the active creation of horror".) A former Australian MP working as a safety and security officer at the detention centre - now resigned - makes the interesting point that stories of heroic conduct by Australian staff on the night cannot be told because of the confidentiality agreements.
A ruling by PNG's Supreme Court clarifies the right of organisations to challenge the detention centre's legality.
Last but not least: Jon has written a heartfelt account of the candlelit vigil for Reza Berati held in Sydney and around Australia. It was wonderful to be part of the event, because images of, and messages from, the crowd would reach the asylum seekers still imprisoned on Manus. There's very little chance these postings will ever be seen by an asylum seeker, let alone be of any use to them, but what we all did that night will make a difference. Corragio!