Refugee Update

[dreamer_easy]

Water shortages, toilet restrictions and constant fear: Details about life on Nauru revealed (SMH, 10 February 2016) "The whistleblower [a former Broadspectrum/Transfield employee], who worked with single adult men, said they lived in tents that were hot, overcrowded, mouldy and infested with mice. 'Water shortages were common, resulting in restrictions on toilets and shower facilities.' The detention centre failed to provide privacy and personal space and 'vulnerable men who experienced bullying or harassment by other asylum seekers' were forced to live among their antagonists after just a few days' respite. Asylum seekers endured long waits for medical and dental treatment and waited hours for a bus to travel to the clinic. It meant some missed their appointments or lost access to an interpreter." Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs separately stated that "Nauru detainees had access to a washing machine barely once a month during water shortages, and lived in constant fear of being physically and sexually assaulted, particularly outside the centre."

Catching up on links:

Children urge Australia to free them from Nauru island 'prison' (CNN, 28 January 2016)

Child refugees tell of bullying on Nauru: 'They are rude to us, they punch us' (GA, 21 January 2016)

Nauru-based refugees take aim at Australia's human rights record, continue plea for NZ resettlement (19 January 2016)

Human Rights Watch blasts Australia's asylum-seeker policies, terrorism laws (SMH, 27 January 2016)