[Greens-Media] Govt refugee policy failure: one suicide, mass hunger strike at Villawood

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
20 September 2010


Govt refugee policy failure: one suicide, mass hunger strike at Villawood

Responding to the suicide of a Villawood Immigration Detention Centre
detainee this morning and the ongoing hunger strike of up to 20 other
detainees the Greens have renewed their call for the federal
government to speed up processing of refugees and to abide by
Australia’s international treaty obligations, Greens Senator-elect Lee
Rhiannon said today.

“The tragic death this morning of a young man from Fiji underlines the
suffering many asylum seekers are experiencing because of the inhumane
handling of refugee applications by the federal government,” Ms
Rhiannon said.

“I have spoken to a Villawood inmate this morning and the situation
inside sounds tense and distressing.

“From the information I have received some of the asylum seekers saw
the young 28 year old man jump to his death.

“Also a hunger strike by up to 20 detainees objecting to their
treatment is continuing.

“Yesterday I was at Villawood as part of a delegation of union and
Greens members committed to working for justice for refugees.

"Three detainees at Villawood have been already processed by the
UNHCR. They showed me their cards that display their refugee status
but still the Australian government refuses to accept them.

“Many men broke down in tears as they described to us the suffering
they are going through.

“They feel a sense of hopelessness, as their interactions with
officials leaves them with the strong impression that the process is
not fair and the Australian government wants them to return to their
homeland.

"The uncertainty of their fate, the fear that they will be killed if
they are returned to their home country and prolonged detention is
having devastating effects on their mental health.

 "The Greens are calling for an end to mandatory detention and a more
humane community-based approach,” Ms Rhiannon said.


For more information – 0427 861 568

-- 
Lee Rhiannon
Greens NSW Senator elect
19 Eve Street, Erskineville
0427 861 568

leerhiannon.org.au