This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-34568421

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Nauru 'rape victim did not decline abortion' in Australia Australia row over pregnant Nauru migrant case
(about 7 hours later)
A pregnant Somali woman who was taken to Australia after allegedly being raped on Nauru has denied changing her mind about seeking an abortion. Australia's immigration minister has insisted the government correctly handled the case of a migrant woman who sought an abortion in Australia.
The woman, an asylum seeker, had been allowed to enter Australia for a termination, which is illegal in Nauru. The 23-year-old, a Somali detainee at Australia's detention camp in Nauru, says she became pregnant as a result of being raped in July.
But in a note to Australian media, she said she did not see a doctor before being suddenly returned to the migrant detention centre on Friday. She was allowed to travel to Australia to end the pregnancy, but left on Friday without having done so.
Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton strongly denied her allegation. The government said she changed her mind, but she has denied this.
He had previously said that on arriving in Australia she decided by herself not to end her pregnancy.
Under Australia's asylum policy, any undocumented migrants trying to reach the country by boat are intercepted and held in centres on Nauru and Manus Island, Papua New Guinea.Under Australia's asylum policy, any undocumented migrants trying to reach the country by boat are intercepted and held in centres on Nauru and Manus Island, Papua New Guinea.
'Please help me''Please help me'
The woman - who is only known by her pseudonym Abyan - had asked to be flown to Australia for an abortion. The woman - identified by her pseudonym Abyan - was flown to Sydney last week after requesting an abortion, which is not legal in Nauru in most circumstances.
Mr Dutton said in a statement that on her arrival she had decided against having an abortion so was returned to Nauru. But on Friday night, she was unexpectedly returned to Nauru, alarming her lawyers and rights groups.
"The information I have is that the woman in question changed her mind about seeking a termination and was deemed fit to fly," the minister was quoted as saying on Saturday. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said on Saturday that after seeing doctors, she had "decided not to proceed with the termination".
But in her first public comments since arriving on Nauru, the woman dismissed the claim. But in a hand-written note released to the Australian media on Monday, Abyan denied this.
In the hand-written statement - seen by the Sydney Morning Herald and Guardian Australia - she said: "I have been very sick. I have never said that I did not want a termination. "I have been very sick. I have never said that I did not want a termination. I never saw a doctor. I saw a nurse at the clinic but there was no counselling," the note read.
"I never saw a doctor. I saw a nurse at the clinic but there was no counselling." Abyan said she never saw a doctor, or had any counselling, and and that she was seen by a nurse with no translator present.
She also said she saw another nurse, but did not have an interpreter and was not allowed to talk to her lawyer.
"Please help me," the statement said."Please help me," the statement said.
'Political pawns' Her lawyer, George Newhouse, has said she wanted more time to make the decision, and has accused the government of deporting her before he could seek an injunction blocking it.
On Monday, Mr Dutton denied this on ABC Radio, saying she had been seen several times by medical and counselling staff, with interpreters on most occasions and had reached her own decision. Australia and asylum
He said he would not allow for women in such a situation to be treated as "political pawns" by opponents of Australia's immigration policy. Is Australia's Cambodia solution 'an expensive joke'?
Australia's controversial asylum policy
On Monday, Mr Dutton insisted on ABC Radio that the woman had been seen several times by medical and counselling staff, with interpreters on most occasions, and had reached her own decision.
He said he would not allow for women in such a situation to be treated as "political pawns" by opponents of Australia's immigration policy, saying some of the allegations being made were "patently incorrect, if not fabricated".
"I'm very, very concerned about the privacy of this lady, but I'm dragged into this debate to clear up what I think is a political motivation by some of the advocates."
Last week, Mr Dutton said that refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru were asking for medical care in Australia in order to try to have their refugee claims processed on the mainland.Last week, Mr Dutton said that refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru were asking for medical care in Australia in order to try to have their refugee claims processed on the mainland.
He described the behaviour as a "racket".He described the behaviour as a "racket".
The Australian government says its asylum policy deters people-traffickers but there has been been criticism of the conditions at the camps.The Australian government says its asylum policy deters people-traffickers but there has been been criticism of the conditions at the camps.
In September, a report by a senate committee found conditions on Nauru were not "appropriate or safe". It said allegations of rape and abuse should be investigated.In September, a report by a senate committee found conditions on Nauru were not "appropriate or safe". It said allegations of rape and abuse should be investigated.
Australia and asylum
Is Australia's Cambodia solution 'an expensive joke'?
Australia's controversial asylum policy