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Blaze at Detention Center Follows Refugee’s Death Fire at Christmas Island Detention Center Follows Refugee’s Death
(about 9 hours later)
SYDNEY, Australia — Parts of an Australian-run detention center on Christmas Island were on fire early Monday amid anger over the weekend death of a Kurdish Iranian refugee.SYDNEY, Australia — Parts of an Australian-run detention center on Christmas Island were on fire early Monday amid anger over the weekend death of a Kurdish Iranian refugee.
Guards had fled amid reports of a “meltdown” at the facility, where detainees had lit the medical center on fire, a Greens party senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, said Monday in an ABC radio interview.Guards had fled amid reports of a “meltdown” at the facility, where detainees had lit the medical center on fire, a Greens party senator, Sarah Hanson-Young, said Monday in an ABC radio interview.
Refugee advocates said that the Iranian, Fazel Chegeni, who was in his early 30s, escaped from the center on Friday and that his body had been found at the base of a cliff by the Australian federal police.Refugee advocates said that the Iranian, Fazel Chegeni, who was in his early 30s, escaped from the center on Friday and that his body had been found at the base of a cliff by the Australian federal police.
“People are very distressed,” said Ms. Hanson-Young, whose staff members had spoken with detainees by telephone. “The reaction to this man’s death has been one of shock and one of horror.”“People are very distressed,” said Ms. Hanson-Young, whose staff members had spoken with detainees by telephone. “The reaction to this man’s death has been one of shock and one of horror.”
Ian Rintoul, from the Refugee Action Coalition, said Mr. Chegeni arrived in Australia in 2010, and had been granted refugee status. But the delay in processing his claim and releasing him had seriously affected him, Mr. Rintoul said. “His mental health problems were well known,” he said. “Detention could only exacerbate those problems.”Ian Rintoul, from the Refugee Action Coalition, said Mr. Chegeni arrived in Australia in 2010, and had been granted refugee status. But the delay in processing his claim and releasing him had seriously affected him, Mr. Rintoul said. “His mental health problems were well known,” he said. “Detention could only exacerbate those problems.”
Christmas Island is a small island, about 220 miles south of Java, in the Indian Ocean. About 203 men are held there.Christmas Island is a small island, about 220 miles south of Java, in the Indian Ocean. About 203 men are held there.
Australia’s Immigration Department said in a statement that the center had been damaged in a “disturbance in progress” but that no injuries had been reported. Serco Group, which operates the center for the Australia government, declined to comment.Australia’s Immigration Department said in a statement that the center had been damaged in a “disturbance in progress” but that no injuries had been reported. Serco Group, which operates the center for the Australia government, declined to comment.
Greg Barns, a spokesman for the Australian Lawyers Alliance, said he had spoken Monday with a client on the island. Damage to the center was not widespread, he said, and a small number of detainees had been involved in the riot. “They are all suffering the deleterious effects of being held on a small, hot, wet, remote island, with nothing to do, and limited access to lawyers, no access to family,” Mr. Barns said.Greg Barns, a spokesman for the Australian Lawyers Alliance, said he had spoken Monday with a client on the island. Damage to the center was not widespread, he said, and a small number of detainees had been involved in the riot. “They are all suffering the deleterious effects of being held on a small, hot, wet, remote island, with nothing to do, and limited access to lawyers, no access to family,” Mr. Barns said.
He said 50 to 60 New Zealanders were awaiting deportation at the center. The majority of those detained have had their visas to remain in Australia canceled after failing tests of good character.He said 50 to 60 New Zealanders were awaiting deportation at the center. The majority of those detained have had their visas to remain in Australia canceled after failing tests of good character.
“Fazel should have been treated with decency and respect,” said Daniel Webb, a lawyer from the Human Rights Law Centre in Melbourne. “Instead he has become a victim of a blunt, arbitrary and tremendously cruel system.”“Fazel should have been treated with decency and respect,” said Daniel Webb, a lawyer from the Human Rights Law Centre in Melbourne. “Instead he has become a victim of a blunt, arbitrary and tremendously cruel system.”