MEDIA ALERT
Vigil to mourn for asylum seekers who have died in detention
Refugee advocacy Network members have organized an emergency vigil today to mourn the passing of a young Hazara man found dead at Scherger Detention Centre last week, and also to protest against the continuing practice of offshore detention, and the absurdity and secrecy surrounding security clearances.
“In the last seven months, 4 asylum seekers have committed suicide and another young Afghan man died after a heart attack while in Curtin Detention Centre. This is a crisis”, said Pamela Curr, spokesperson for the RAN Network.
Curr said that over the past week, we have witnessed escalating violence against asylum seekers in Immigration Detention. Some examples of this are:
- police have used tear gas and synthetic bullets on protesting detainees at Christmas Island;
- an Afghan refugee in Curtin was beaten by six Serco guards as he tried to speak to his case manager;
- a young Afghan man took his life in Scherger on Thursday night.
Details of the Vigil are:
Monday 21st March
5:30pm, cnr Bourke and Swanson Sts
Melbourne CBD
For media comment: Pamela Curr 0417 517 075
-- Pamela Curr Campaign Coordinator Asylum Seeker Resource Centre 12 Batman st West Melbourne 3003 ph 03 9326 6066 / 0417517075 "NO ONE CHOOSES TO BE AN ASYLUM SEEKER"
I clicked onto the following:
Vigil to mourn for asylum seekers who have died in detention
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I would be interested in any article or information. Gerry.