The tragic occurence on Nauru on Monday was avoidable and the Australian Government must stop forcibly returning vulnerable people to unsuitable and unsafe living conditions.
Fleeing danger only to face detention in Australia
Hodan Yasin is a 21-year-old Somali woman who reportedly fled danger in her home country where the armed conflict has killed hundreds and displaced thousands. She undertook a journey to Australia to seek refuge, but instead the Australian Government chose to detain her in Nauru.
The harsh living conditions that the Australian Government forces upon people seeking protection erodes their mental and physical well-being, driving people to self-harm and attempted suicide.
Hodan Yasin was brought from Nauru to Australia for medical treatment. Instead of letting her stay in a safe environment, the Australian Government flew this vulnerable woman back to Nauru. Then, shortly after landing, she set herself alight in an act of awful desperation.
Offshore detention completely unsuitable
A system founded upon ill-treatment and abuse is not a solution. It's time for our government to pursue more humane alternatives.
The tragedy of the latest self-immolation attempt on Nauru is further evidence that Australian-run offshore centres are completely unsuitable for the approximately 2,000 people seeking a safe place to rebuild their life.
Australians have already called on the government to look after those people who had been transferred from offshore centres to Australia for medical treatment and to #LetThemStay. Tens of thousands of citizens spoke out and attended vigils, medical professionals continue to voice their concerns, and more than 100 churches have offered sanctuary to people facing imminent transfers. Communities across the country have raised the alarm of the danger of returning people to offshore centres like Nauru.
Transfers to Nauru must cease
The Australian Government must cease transfers back to Nauru and allow those vulnerable individuals receiving medical treatment in Australia to stay here in the community.
The Australian Government must not continue its abusive treatment of vulnerable people and must move to permanently close the Nauru centre. Omid Masoumali lost his life last week as a result of the conditions the government forced him, and now Hodan Yasin’s life hangs in the balance.
A system founded upon ill-treatment and abuse is not a solution. It's time for our government to pursue more humane alternatives.
(PR/2/5/2016)