Refugees on Manus are currently embroiled in a terrifying situation and the Turnbull government appears to be trying to wash their hands of culpability.
Frustrated by the lack of attention the humanitarian crisis is getting activists from the Whistleblowers, Activists and Citizens Alliance (WACA) have now staged a very public protest, and have scaled the iconic Sydney Opera House with personal banners calling to #EvacuateManus.
“The Sydney Opera House is Australia’s international icon,” said one of the protesters, Laura Mastwyk.
“But increasingly, our country is internationally recognised for our human rights abuses to refugees.”
Over 600 men have had all their food, water, electricity and security cut off; left to fend for themselves in a hostile environment at the mercy of the PNG Navy who stormed the centre earlier this year.
Russell Crowe has joined those voicing his disgust at the government’s treatment of the refugees at Manus, even offering to house and find jobs for at least six of them.
The UN hasn’t been shy about pointing out Australian involvement. In a statement, UNHCR urged the Australian government to work with PNG authorities to “immediately de-escalate an increasingly tense and unstable situation”.
“Australia remains responsible for the well-being of all those moved to Papua New Guinea,” they added.
“UNHCR urges Australia to take responsibility and provide protection and safety to these vulnerable human beings.”
Eight men have died in detention facilities on Manus Island and Nauru, one of which committed suspected suicide last month after friends said the Tamil man had grown increasingly distressed and anxious at the centre without adequate care.
There are only four immigration and citizenship service authority caseworkers providing help to over 700 refugees and asylum seekers – people who have undoubtedly experienced extensive trauma and stress.
“Welfare arrangements, including critical torture and trauma counselling services, are insufficient at present for refugees and asylum-seekers on Manus Island,” the UN said in their statement.
As Australians, we have far more financial, medical and social resources to help these people than the Manusians and, even if Turnbull’s government wants to pretend we don’t, we also have the moral imperative to do so.
The fact that we can’t even house 600 asylum-seekers is terrifying.
In 2016, Australians only took 27,600 of the 65.6 million individuals who were forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations.
No one deserves to be held in eternal limbo just because of where they were born.
