Hunger Strikers Assaulted And Mistreated

Hunger Strikers Assaulted And Mistreated In Aftermath Of Villawood Escapes

Refugee groups today accused Immigration and GSL management of collective punishment of detainees in the Villawood detention centre in the aftermath of two detainees escaping last night (Friday).

Two detainees, one of them in detention for over one and half years, fled the centre around 9.00pm last night (Friday). Almost immediately internet access for the detainees was stopped and all detainees were called to a muster in the visitor’s area in order to a head count.

“The place [Villawood] is unbearable,” one detainee told the Refugee Action Coalition.

GSL guards forced hunger strikers to “walk” to the muster despite their weakened condition after 24 days with no food. An eye-witness reported that at least one hunger striker was pushed by a male GSL guard as they were struggling to make their way from their room to the visitor’s area.

“There is no excuse for the mistreatment of the hunger strikers,” said Ian Rintoul, a spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “The muster was purely an administrative convenience. They had no regard whatsoever for the welfare of the hunger strikers. A head count could have been made without
forcing the hunger strikers to the muster area.

“As for the hunger striker being pushed in any event that would be an assault. But to push such a weakened individual is just malicious. The particular guard has been identified and we will be seeking statements for a complaint to be made to Villawood management and police.

“Shutting down the internet access may seem a petty form of collective punishment, but the internet access means a lot to people locked up for 24 hours a day, sometimes for years. It shows the vindictive mentality that still thrives in the Immigration department. Since the hunger strike began
in protest at the forced deportations, management has increased restrictions throughout the detention centre.

“Management has increasingly resorted to police state methods to carry out deportations. Two people have been snatched in early morning raids on their rooms. Others called to bogus “interviews” before being removed to high security areas of the detention centre. Two others held for weeks in
solitary confinement.

“Urgent action is needed from the Minister. There is a tragedy looming in Villawood. The Minister should announce a review of all cases affected by the High Court decision last week to strike down the time limit previously placed on appeals,” said Ian Rintoul.

ENDS

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