Press releases

Advocates call to sack Dutton: Detention regime corrupt from top to bottom

| July 18, 2017 | Reply

In the light of the revelations of drug-running in Christmas Island, refugee advocates have called for the sacking of Peter Dutton, an end to mandatory detention and to holding 501’s, so-called criminal deportees, in immigration detention. “The Christmas Island Serco manager and guard filmed supplying drugs are being made scapegoats for a detention regime that […]

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More pressure on Manus refugees to move but nowhere to go

| July 5, 2017 | Reply

PNG Immigration and Australia’s Border Force are stepping up the pressure on Manus refugees and asylum seekers in an effort to force them out of the detention centre. Detainees are being told that the detention centre will close on 31 October, but they have nowhere safe to go. Only a minority have been interviewed by […]

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Government turns the screws on Manus refugees

| June 26, 2017 | Reply

Just days after agreeing to pay Manus asylum seekers and refugees $70 million in damages for unlawful imprisonment and for physical and psychological damage, the government has stepped its punitive program to forcibly relocate the detainees. On Friday 23 June, all gym equipment was removed from Mike and Oscar compounds (see photos). A new notice […]

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No amount of money can compensate for Manus horror

| June 14, 2017 | Reply

The announcement of a possible settlement with Manus asylum seekers and the Australian government for false imprisonment and conditions on Manus Island that caused them physical and psychological harm is an admission that the Australian government is responsible for detention on Manus Island. “It puts the lie to the continual claims from Peter Dutton that […]

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“Where’s Behrouz?” Refugee protest to march to Manus film world premiere

| June 8, 2017 | Reply

Refugee supporters will march from Town Hall to the world premiere screening of “Chauka, Please Tell Us the Time,” on Sunday 11 June at the Sydney Film Festival, to call for the closure of Manus Island detention centre. The film was secretly recorded on a mobile phone in the Manus Island detention centre over many […]

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Forced relocation stalls on Manus Island

| May 29, 2017 | Reply

The first efforts to force the relocation of refugees and asylum seekers in the Manus Island detention centre have stalled. Yesterday (Sunday 28 May), although the government closed the internal gate of Foxtrot compound (photo at right), five Indian asylum seekers remained in N block (photos below). The gate separates N block from the rest […]

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Half-day conference: Offshore detention, resistance and alternatives

| May 19, 2017 | Reply

New Law School Lecture Theatre 024, Sydney Uni Session times 1pm-2.15pm Manus, Nauru and the US deal Speakers: Maria (Refugee who was on Nauru until last year), Tim O’Connor (Refugee Council of Australia), Ian Rintoul (Refugee Action Coalition) A new crisis is developing on Manus Island, with the imminent closure of the detention centre. This […]

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Graphic footage of Manus shooting

| April 15, 2017 | Reply

Graphic footage taken during the Good Friday shooting incident has emerged from Manus Island. Photos of bullet holes damage inside the detention centre including in accommodation areas is evidence of the dangerous situation that has erupted on Manus. “The shooting incident has been a shocking and stark reminder of the dangerous situation that exists on […]

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Shooting breaks out on Manus – Refugees fear for their lives

| April 14, 2017 | Reply

There are reports that shooting has broken out between the PNG police and locals on the navy base after locals began attacking the detention centre. Local navy staff have responded by shooting into detention centre compounds. (Hear audio of the shooting here) Wilson security and all staff have fled the compounds, leaving refugees and asylum […]

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‘We are not animals’ – protest erupts in Manus detention centre

| March 19, 2017 | Reply

Guards hastily withdrew from Mike Compound in the Manus Island detention centre last night (Saturday 18 March) after a protest erupted in the mess area following Border Force renovations that made the serving area more like a prison. “It was a provocation,” one detainee told the Refugee Action Coalition, “They treat us like we are […]

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