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Iranian refugee severely burnt after setting himself on fire on Nauru Iranian refugee critically ill after setting himself on fire on Nauru during UN visit
(about 1 hour later)
A man has suffered severe burns after setting himself on fire, allegedly in front of United Nations representatives, at an immigration settlement site in Nauru. A man has suffered life-threatening burns after setting himself on fire, at a refugee settlement site in Nauru, apparently in front of UN representatives.
A video of the incident, seen by Guardian Australia, shows the 23-year-old Iranian man soaked in liquid, standing in a clearing and shouting to the people around him. The governments of Australia and of Nauru – which recently began convicting people for attempting suicide – in response warned others against what they described as acts of “political protest”.
He has been identified as Omid, a recognised refugee from Iran. Omid turned 23 last December and is married. Video footage of the incident, seen by Guardian Australia, shows the 23-year-old Iranian man soaked in liquid, standing in a clearing and shouting to the people around him.
There were claims the video of the protests showed UN representatives on the other side of a fence. In it people shout “UN help us” and “ABF shame on you”. Those claims have not been confirmed but Peter Dutton, the Australian immigration minister, said he understood that to be the case.
The man has been identified as Omid, a recognised refugee from Iran. Omid turned 23 last December and is married.
According to one witness, Omid said: “This is how tired we are, this action will prove how exhausted we are. I cannot take it anymore.”According to one witness, Omid said: “This is how tired we are, this action will prove how exhausted we are. I cannot take it anymore.”
In the video Omid then sets himself on fire. Amid screams from onlookers he flees but is chased by a group of people who tackle him to the ground and smother the flames with sheets and remove his burning and melted clothing. There are extensive burns across his body and head but he is clearly alive and conscious. In the footage Omid then sets himself on fire. Amid screams from onlookers he flees but is chased by a group of people who tackle him to the ground and smother the flames with sheets and remove his burning and melted clothing. There are extensive burns across his body and head but he is clearly alive and conscious.
Related: Peter Dutton indicates Australia won't take back Manus Island asylum seekersRelated: Peter Dutton indicates Australia won't take back Manus Island asylum seekers
He has been taken to the Republic of Nauru hospital but medical evacuation to Australia is being considered. He has been taken to the Republic of Nauru hospital but medical evacuation to Australia is being considered, but the Australian immigration minister said his outlook is “not good at all”.
Guardian Australia has chosen not to publish the video. Peter Dutton said Omid was in a very serious condition and an airlift that night was planned. “But his outlook is not good at all.”
The witness said the man had met with representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday morning, who were on the island to interview asylum seekers and refugees. They have also been inspecting the Manus Island offshore centre. According to reports from detainees at both places, the focus has been largely on the mental health of detainees. “I send our best wishes and condolences in the circumstances to his wife, as I understand it, and to family otherwise. Obviously this is a very confronting situation to those people who were present,” he said.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection said it was not in a position to confirm or deny the incident but has been sent written questions. “This circumstance is very unfortunate and we hope whatever medical assistance that can be provided to that individual is provided.”
The Nauruan government confirmed the incident, labelling it “a political protest to coincide with the visit by representatives from UNHCR”. However both Dutton and the government of Nauru also used the incident to stress their warnings against self-harm as a form of protest or means of getting to Australia.
Dutton confirmed that a number of other people - believed to be five - attempted to self-harm on Wednesday night and one on Wednesday morning.
“What we’ve been very clear about is if people come to Australia for medical assistance they’ll be returning back to Nauru once that medical assistance has been provided,” he said.
“If people think that through actions of self harm or harming a member of their family that that is going to result in them coming to Australia and then staying here permanently, then again I repeat the message that is not going to be the outcome.”
He urged Australian-based advocates to stop sending offshore detainees messages that gave people “false hope”.
“If I can appeal now to those people who are on Nauru and on Manus, it doesn’t matter what others are saying to you … you will not ever settle in Australia.”
The Nauruan government gave no condolences, and labelled Omid’s act “a political protest to coincide with the visit by representatives from UNHCR”.
“Unfortunately we have seen protests like this during high-profile visits, as some from within the refugee community try and influence the Australian government’s offshore processing policies.”“Unfortunately we have seen protests like this during high-profile visits, as some from within the refugee community try and influence the Australian government’s offshore processing policies.”
The statement urged people not to self-harm in protest, adding “there is no value in such behaviour”. The statement urged people to refrain from self-harm “for the protection of themselves and others, and because the government had invested “considerable time and money” into assisting the refugees.
The government had invested “considerable time and money” into assisting the refugees, it said. “There is no value in such behaviour,” it said.
Related: Detention centre staff say careers and lives were damaged by speaking outRelated: Detention centre staff say careers and lives were damaged by speaking out
The Nauruan government is yet to answer any questions on recent actions by its justice system to charge and convict people – including at least two but possibly up to four refugees – for attempting suicide.The Nauruan government is yet to answer any questions on recent actions by its justice system to charge and convict people – including at least two but possibly up to four refugees – for attempting suicide.
According to advocates, UN representatives on Nauru also witnessed the detainee protest – now in its 39th consecutive day. Many have reported feeling they were prevented from meeting with UN representatives, or told there was nothing that could be done to help them. The witness to Omid’s act said the man had met with representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday morning, who were on the island to interview asylum seekers and refugees. They have also been inspecting the Manus Island offshore centre. According to reports from detainees at both places, the focus has been largely on the mental health of detainees.
A video of the protest is claimed to show UN representatives on the other side of a fence but this has not been confirmed. In it people shout “UN help us” and “ABF shame on you”. According to advocates, UN representatives on Nauru also witnessed another long-running detainee protest – now in its 39th consecutive day. Many have reported feeling they were prevented from meeting with UN representatives, or told there was nothing that could be done to help them.
There were claims the video of the protests showed UN representatives on the other side of a fence but this has not been confirmed. In it people shout “UN help us” and “ABF shame on you”.
The Guardian has contacted the UNHCR seeking comment.The Guardian has contacted the UNHCR seeking comment.
A letter written and signed by detainees on Sunday pleaded for the Australian people to help.A letter written and signed by detainees on Sunday pleaded for the Australian people to help.
“We are wondering why our lives were saved in the ocean, if we died in the sea it would be wonderful because we can’t cope with these inhuman actions,” it said.“We are wondering why our lives were saved in the ocean, if we died in the sea it would be wonderful because we can’t cope with these inhuman actions,” it said.
“Your government took our joy, they took our hope, dreams and locked us up inside the fence.”“Your government took our joy, they took our hope, dreams and locked us up inside the fence.”
Advocates have also reported that three people were removed from BITA (Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation) early this morning and transferred back to Nauru. Dutton also confirmed reports that three people were removed from BITA (Brisbane Immigration Transit Accommodation) early this morning and transferred back to Nauru.
They described the current mood on Nauru and Manus Island as an emergency situation, particularly in light of Tuesday’s PNG supreme court decision ruling the detention of asylum seekers illegal. He said the trio had been receiving medical care in Brisbane but that was completed and they were cleared for return.
Sources on Nauru say five people attempted to self-harm on Wednesday night and one on Wednesday morning. Advocates described the current mood on Nauru and Manus Island as an emergency situation, particularly in light of Tuesday’s PNG supreme court decision ruling the detention of asylum seekers illegal.
Related: Manus detainee climbs tree in rejection of PNG refugee statusRelated: Manus detainee climbs tree in rejection of PNG refugee status
The ABC reported on Wednesday a plane from Port Moresby to Manus Island was grounded after a man – believed to be in Port Moresby for medical treatment – began screaming as it taxied down the runway.The ABC reported on Wednesday a plane from Port Moresby to Manus Island was grounded after a man – believed to be in Port Moresby for medical treatment – began screaming as it taxied down the runway.
One woman on Nauru, who said she had trained in psychology, said she was concerned for the detainees there, after a series of significant protests and immigration policy changes had left them unaffected.One woman on Nauru, who said she had trained in psychology, said she was concerned for the detainees there, after a series of significant protests and immigration policy changes had left them unaffected.
“It made all disappointed,” she said. “Because first was Christmas Island and second was ‘Let them stay’ and now Manus. Let us be clear, it won’t help us and it made all angry and nervous … What I saw tonight was so dangerous. All thinking about dying, they are just thinking how?”“It made all disappointed,” she said. “Because first was Christmas Island and second was ‘Let them stay’ and now Manus. Let us be clear, it won’t help us and it made all angry and nervous … What I saw tonight was so dangerous. All thinking about dying, they are just thinking how?”