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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Diary of disaster: the last days inside Manus Island detention centre | Diary of disaster: the last days inside Manus Island detention centre |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Behrouz Boochani is a journalist and an Iranian refugee held on Manus Island since August 2014. The Guardian invited Boochani to keep a diary of the countdown to the closure of the Australian-run detention camp that is due to close on Tuesday. | Behrouz Boochani is a journalist and an Iranian refugee held on Manus Island since August 2014. The Guardian invited Boochani to keep a diary of the countdown to the closure of the Australian-run detention camp that is due to close on Tuesday. |
| Wednesday 25 October | Wednesday 25 October |
| I woke up from a nightmare today. For a long time now I have been experiencing regular nightmares, and it is these nightmares that get me out of bed, nightmares that wake me as I sleep inside one of the warm tents within Oscar camp. Before I have even had the chance to consider my immediate surroundings I have a vision of myself outside the tent. Nightmares are a significant component of our reality here, an important part of the life of a refugee in Manus prison. I am used to sleeping until just before noon. During this period, and under these conditions, the heat of Manus has been somewhat more tolerable. For this reason, the nights have been a bit easier here in the prison. | I woke up from a nightmare today. For a long time now I have been experiencing regular nightmares, and it is these nightmares that get me out of bed, nightmares that wake me as I sleep inside one of the warm tents within Oscar camp. Before I have even had the chance to consider my immediate surroundings I have a vision of myself outside the tent. Nightmares are a significant component of our reality here, an important part of the life of a refugee in Manus prison. I am used to sleeping until just before noon. During this period, and under these conditions, the heat of Manus has been somewhat more tolerable. For this reason, the nights have been a bit easier here in the prison. |
| Julia Gillard's Labor government reopens detention centre – not used since 2004 – and the first 19 asylum seekers arrive from Christmas island. | Julia Gillard's Labor government reopens detention centre – not used since 2004 – and the first 19 asylum seekers arrive from Christmas island. |
| A UNHCR report finds every asylum seeker on Manus displays signs of anxiety and depression. | A UNHCR report finds every asylum seeker on Manus displays signs of anxiety and depression. |
| New Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd announces people who seek asylum by boat will never be settled in Australia, with all sent to Manus or Nauru. | New Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd announces people who seek asylum by boat will never be settled in Australia, with all sent to Manus or Nauru. |
| Three days of violence leaves 70 detainees seriously injured, with some shot by police, stabbed and with their throats slit. Iranian detainee Reza Barati is murdered after security guards inflict fatal head injuries during the riot. | Three days of violence leaves 70 detainees seriously injured, with some shot by police, stabbed and with their throats slit. Iranian detainee Reza Barati is murdered after security guards inflict fatal head injuries during the riot. |
| Iranian Hamid Kehazaei dies after a delayed medical evacuation to Australia, as a treatable bacterial infection develops into septicaemia. | Iranian Hamid Kehazaei dies after a delayed medical evacuation to Australia, as a treatable bacterial infection develops into septicaemia. |
| More than 500 men begin a two-week hunger strike in protest against conditions on the island. Two stitch their lips together, three swallow razor blades and collapsing strikers have to be forcibly removed by security. | More than 500 men begin a two-week hunger strike in protest against conditions on the island. Two stitch their lips together, three swallow razor blades and collapsing strikers have to be forcibly removed by security. |
| A Guardian investigation reveals widespread failings in the healthcare services provided by IHMS in detention centres, including Manus Island. | A Guardian investigation reveals widespread failings in the healthcare services provided by IHMS in detention centres, including Manus Island. |
| A PNG woman employed by Transfield alleges she was raped by Australian colleagues inside the centre. The alleged perpetrators are flown out of the country. | A PNG woman employed by Transfield alleges she was raped by Australian colleagues inside the centre. The alleged perpetrators are flown out of the country. |
| Papua New Guinea supreme court rules the detention centre is illegal and unconstitutional and must be closed. | Papua New Guinea supreme court rules the detention centre is illegal and unconstitutional and must be closed. |
| Australia confirms Manus detention centre will close but says none of the 854 men still there will be resettled in Australia. | Australia confirms Manus detention centre will close but says none of the 854 men still there will be resettled in Australia. |
| Sudanese refugee Faysal Ishak Ahmed dies after six months of suffering numerous blackouts, falls and seizures inside the detention centre. | Sudanese refugee Faysal Ishak Ahmed dies after six months of suffering numerous blackouts, falls and seizures inside the detention centre. |
| PNG immigration officials confirm the centre will close on 31 October, and tell detainees to 'consider their options'. Over the following months basic services are shut down around detainees, to encourage them to leave | PNG immigration officials confirm the centre will close on 31 October, and tell detainees to 'consider their options'. Over the following months basic services are shut down around detainees, to encourage them to leave |
| The Australian government settles a class action, paying $70m compensation to more than 2,000 detainees for illegal detention and mistreatment, but denies any liability. | The Australian government settles a class action, paying $70m compensation to more than 2,000 detainees for illegal detention and mistreatment, but denies any liability. |
| Iranian asylum seeker Hamed Shamshiripour is found dead, having taken his own life. His friends say they pleaded with the Australian government to provide treatment for his mental health problems. | Iranian asylum seeker Hamed Shamshiripour is found dead, having taken his own life. His friends say they pleaded with the Australian government to provide treatment for his mental health problems. |
| Twenty-five men leave Papua New Guinea for the US under a resettlement deal between Australia and the US. The total number to be transferred is still uncertain, with the US under no obligation to take a set amount. | Twenty-five men leave Papua New Guinea for the US under a resettlement deal between Australia and the US. The total number to be transferred is still uncertain, with the US under no obligation to take a set amount. |
| A formally recognised refugee dies in Lorengau hospital. | A formally recognised refugee dies in Lorengau hospital. |
| A week before it's due to close, it’s revealed more than 600 detainees are refusing to leave the centre, citing fears for their safety in Lorengau. | A week before it's due to close, it’s revealed more than 600 detainees are refusing to leave the centre, citing fears for their safety in Lorengau. |
| As soon as I awake I have to grapple with the images from last night’s nightmares, then immediately I approach the dining area to have breakfast. A few local guards are there, but the breakfast trays are empty. Furious, I just stare at the guards. They respond by saying they are sorry and that there is nothing left here to eat. These days, with the impending closure of the camp, there is never enough food to eat for breakfast or any other meal. At noon I go over to join the protest. For more than 80 days we have been protesting every day with the hope that the government will be dissuaded from sending us to Lorengau. | As soon as I awake I have to grapple with the images from last night’s nightmares, then immediately I approach the dining area to have breakfast. A few local guards are there, but the breakfast trays are empty. Furious, I just stare at the guards. They respond by saying they are sorry and that there is nothing left here to eat. These days, with the impending closure of the camp, there is never enough food to eat for breakfast or any other meal. At noon I go over to join the protest. For more than 80 days we have been protesting every day with the hope that the government will be dissuaded from sending us to Lorengau. |
| During the protest all the refugees decide that we should chant slogans at the top of our voices in support of Phoebe Crane. Phoebe is the Australian women who has engaged in a hunger strike over the last 25 days in support of us. We also decide to gather for a meeting at 9pm in Delta camp to determine what strategies of resistance we plan to employ after 31 October. The central question is: what should we do when water, power and food have been cut? | During the protest all the refugees decide that we should chant slogans at the top of our voices in support of Phoebe Crane. Phoebe is the Australian women who has engaged in a hunger strike over the last 25 days in support of us. We also decide to gather for a meeting at 9pm in Delta camp to determine what strategies of resistance we plan to employ after 31 October. The central question is: what should we do when water, power and food have been cut? |
| For the whole day I am engaged in interviews with a number of people. Among us there is a Rohingya refugee whose whole family is in danger of their lives back in Myanmar, a refugee from Pakistan who has an infection on his head and who needs to be sent to Australia for medical care, and other refugees whose role it is to write slogans on placards. During this time in almost every part of the camp refugees are consumed by discussions about the situation next week. Some men are playing cards or backgammon. Life inside the camp has become extremely mundane … just like all the prisons throughout the world. Night falls, and I am waiting in a long line to get some food. After dinner the meeting begins. This morning I woke from a nightmare, and now I have to go to bed with the fear of another nightmare. I expect another tough day tomorrow. | For the whole day I am engaged in interviews with a number of people. Among us there is a Rohingya refugee whose whole family is in danger of their lives back in Myanmar, a refugee from Pakistan who has an infection on his head and who needs to be sent to Australia for medical care, and other refugees whose role it is to write slogans on placards. During this time in almost every part of the camp refugees are consumed by discussions about the situation next week. Some men are playing cards or backgammon. Life inside the camp has become extremely mundane … just like all the prisons throughout the world. Night falls, and I am waiting in a long line to get some food. After dinner the meeting begins. This morning I woke from a nightmare, and now I have to go to bed with the fear of another nightmare. I expect another tough day tomorrow. |
| Thursday 26 October | Thursday 26 October |
| As usual, I wake up around noon. In contrast to previous days it is raining. When the weather is like this one feels that the prison is more tolerable. A large crowd has gathered in the area between Delta and Fox camp. A tree with a large and robust trunk has fallen down onto the prison, damaging the fences. These kinds of unexpected occurrences always attract a lot of attention among the imprisoned refugees. | As usual, I wake up around noon. In contrast to previous days it is raining. When the weather is like this one feels that the prison is more tolerable. A large crowd has gathered in the area between Delta and Fox camp. A tree with a large and robust trunk has fallen down onto the prison, damaging the fences. These kinds of unexpected occurrences always attract a lot of attention among the imprisoned refugees. |
| This isn’t the first time that the overpowering tropical ecosystem of Manus forces its way into Manus prison, reclaiming its space. Reflecting on the incident, I entitle it “The Victory of Nature Up Against Steel”… a smile emerges on my face. I have a theory based on the idea that had the ecology of Manus not been so pristine, if it had not been so pure, perhaps all of us incarcerated here would have succumbed to the torture by now … we would have broken under the regime of torture and died. During all these years Australian immigration has been destroying the nature on the island; the desecration of the natural environment has been relentless. Australia has violated the sanctity of nature by disrespecting the habitat and constructing a prison. Today is another instance of nature’s struggle against the prison. | This isn’t the first time that the overpowering tropical ecosystem of Manus forces its way into Manus prison, reclaiming its space. Reflecting on the incident, I entitle it “The Victory of Nature Up Against Steel”… a smile emerges on my face. I have a theory based on the idea that had the ecology of Manus not been so pristine, if it had not been so pure, perhaps all of us incarcerated here would have succumbed to the torture by now … we would have broken under the regime of torture and died. During all these years Australian immigration has been destroying the nature on the island; the desecration of the natural environment has been relentless. Australia has violated the sanctity of nature by disrespecting the habitat and constructing a prison. Today is another instance of nature’s struggle against the prison. |
| I don’t eat lunch and go to join the protest. It is a peculiar protest because it is raining and everyone gets wet; regardless of the conditions a large number has turned out. An Australian guard is recording the number of people in the crowd using a counting device. This is their daily task: to measure the degree of support for the protests and send updates to Canberra. During the protest a discussion ensues about a report published by Human Rights Watch regarding the violations of human rights against us, in which they condemn Australia. Everyone experiences a fresh burst of energy. | I don’t eat lunch and go to join the protest. It is a peculiar protest because it is raining and everyone gets wet; regardless of the conditions a large number has turned out. An Australian guard is recording the number of people in the crowd using a counting device. This is their daily task: to measure the degree of support for the protests and send updates to Canberra. During the protest a discussion ensues about a report published by Human Rights Watch regarding the violations of human rights against us, in which they condemn Australia. Everyone experiences a fresh burst of energy. |
| The rest of the afternoon ends like every other day. I meet a few of the refugees, while some of the others occupy their time with cards and backgammon again. At sunset a few are playing football while an audience of 200 look on. Sometimes the refugees take the game so seriously that one can’t imagine that this is a prison. It’s remarkable how these people forget that they’ve been incarcerated for 51 months. | The rest of the afternoon ends like every other day. I meet a few of the refugees, while some of the others occupy their time with cards and backgammon again. At sunset a few are playing football while an audience of 200 look on. Sometimes the refugees take the game so seriously that one can’t imagine that this is a prison. It’s remarkable how these people forget that they’ve been incarcerated for 51 months. |
| I am starving when dinnertime comes around. Like always I wait for the queue to reduce in size – I don’t have any patience for long queues any more. When it is my turn all the food is all gone. I get so angry that I swear at Peter Dutton a number of times. I swear out loud on purpose so everyone can hear. This manner of swearing is commonplace in prison; even the guards smile when they hear it. A guard sticks a document on the door of the dinning area; it writes: “Manus RPC will close Sunday. All mess facilities will cease & 2 days worth of food packs will be handed out.” This is distressing, but I am pleased to read it. It will no longer be necessary to wait in the queue, and at least I can be certain that I will get something to eat. | I am starving when dinnertime comes around. Like always I wait for the queue to reduce in size – I don’t have any patience for long queues any more. When it is my turn all the food is all gone. I get so angry that I swear at Peter Dutton a number of times. I swear out loud on purpose so everyone can hear. This manner of swearing is commonplace in prison; even the guards smile when they hear it. A guard sticks a document on the door of the dinning area; it writes: “Manus RPC will close Sunday. All mess facilities will cease & 2 days worth of food packs will be handed out.” This is distressing, but I am pleased to read it. It will no longer be necessary to wait in the queue, and at least I can be certain that I will get something to eat. |
| One hour later the police broadcasts a statement that they are prepared to help close the camp after the 31st. Everyone is terrified again. What is going to happen next week? I smoke cigarettes the entire night and contemplate this question. I hope I get to eat lunch tomorrow. | One hour later the police broadcasts a statement that they are prepared to help close the camp after the 31st. Everyone is terrified again. What is going to happen next week? I smoke cigarettes the entire night and contemplate this question. I hope I get to eat lunch tomorrow. |
| Friday 27 October | Friday 27 October |
| The agony of extreme hunger wakes me up early in the morning today – I’m out of bed early today so that I can make it to breakfast. The weather is cool. Whenever I’m able to find something to eat I feel a sense of calm. It’s been more than one month since cigarettes have ceased to be issued and I’ve been smoking local tobacco. Straight after breakfast I go back to sleep until noon again. I go to Oscar, Delta and Fox a number of times until I find some Kurdish refugees who lend me some tobacco. In a prison such as Manus being able to count on the kindness of those who share the same language as you is always something to be treasured. | The agony of extreme hunger wakes me up early in the morning today – I’m out of bed early today so that I can make it to breakfast. The weather is cool. Whenever I’m able to find something to eat I feel a sense of calm. It’s been more than one month since cigarettes have ceased to be issued and I’ve been smoking local tobacco. Straight after breakfast I go back to sleep until noon again. I go to Oscar, Delta and Fox a number of times until I find some Kurdish refugees who lend me some tobacco. In a prison such as Manus being able to count on the kindness of those who share the same language as you is always something to be treasured. |
| The protest has begun. We discuss the court case involving the deputy prime minister which led to him being disqualified from office. When something occurs in Australian politics everyone thinks that it might somehow lead to our freedom, but I explain to a few people that we shouldn’t forget the political climate in Australia and the fact that both major parties loathe us. Don’t forget that until now we have encountered three prime ministers and three immigration ministers and so far nothing has happened. | The protest has begun. We discuss the court case involving the deputy prime minister which led to him being disqualified from office. When something occurs in Australian politics everyone thinks that it might somehow lead to our freedom, but I explain to a few people that we shouldn’t forget the political climate in Australia and the fact that both major parties loathe us. Don’t forget that until now we have encountered three prime ministers and three immigration ministers and so far nothing has happened. |
| I go over to Fox camp. The whole place is littered with garbage and the toilets are full of filth. Even cleaning services have been almost completely disbanded. I take a cold shower right next to a stinking toilet. I’ve become used to the filthy toilets, but still after more than four years I’ve yet to get used to showering with cold water. In this place a shower with hot water is an impossible dream. | I go over to Fox camp. The whole place is littered with garbage and the toilets are full of filth. Even cleaning services have been almost completely disbanded. I take a cold shower right next to a stinking toilet. I’ve become used to the filthy toilets, but still after more than four years I’ve yet to get used to showering with cold water. In this place a shower with hot water is an impossible dream. |
| I do some interviews and do what I usually do up until night time. These days a lot of European news reporters are getting in touch. I feel that this place has become like a battlefield, and I’ve become a war reporter. | I do some interviews and do what I usually do up until night time. These days a lot of European news reporters are getting in touch. I feel that this place has become like a battlefield, and I’ve become a war reporter. |
| I get in touch with the locals. For some weeks now many have been furious with the Australian government, and they are constantly threatening the refugees, saying that we have no right entering their society. Their interaction with me is all right, and they say that they have conducted a few meetings and have planned to protest against Australia’s political machinations in the next few days. | I get in touch with the locals. For some weeks now many have been furious with the Australian government, and they are constantly threatening the refugees, saying that we have no right entering their society. Their interaction with me is all right, and they say that they have conducted a few meetings and have planned to protest against Australia’s political machinations in the next few days. |
| Experts from Amnesty International and a few news reporters are also on the island. I speak to them on the phone and we plan to meet tomorrow. | Experts from Amnesty International and a few news reporters are also on the island. I speak to them on the phone and we plan to meet tomorrow. |
| On Fridays Lorengau is a really dangerous place. Most of the attacks on refugees occur on this day. | On Fridays Lorengau is a really dangerous place. Most of the attacks on refugees occur on this day. |
| It is more or less a tranquil night. But one can sense the fear on the faces and in the behaviours of the refugees. And one can sense even more that we are now one of the most forgotten groups of people on earth. More than anything else, it is this feeling that torments me. | It is more or less a tranquil night. But one can sense the fear on the faces and in the behaviours of the refugees. And one can sense even more that we are now one of the most forgotten groups of people on earth. More than anything else, it is this feeling that torments me. |
| I’m anxious about tomorrow. Anxiety and stress are the most pernicious feelings one can experience here. I’m anxious about tomorrow. We’re anxious about tomorrow. | I’m anxious about tomorrow. Anxiety and stress are the most pernicious feelings one can experience here. I’m anxious about tomorrow. We’re anxious about tomorrow. |
| Saturday 28 October | Saturday 28 October |
| Again, I awake from nightmares. The sun isn’t up yet. It is the worst time to wake up because on the one hand, I am starving and I don’t want to miss out on breakfast, and on the other hand, I am extremely sleepy. I go back to sleep. When I wake up again, it is 11am and I have to wait another hour until lunch. | Again, I awake from nightmares. The sun isn’t up yet. It is the worst time to wake up because on the one hand, I am starving and I don’t want to miss out on breakfast, and on the other hand, I am extremely sleepy. I go back to sleep. When I wake up again, it is 11am and I have to wait another hour until lunch. |
| Just a short distance away from my bed an Iraqi refugee, who lives with us inside the tent, is highly distressed and suffering. For years he has had pain in his eyes. It is harrowing to witness this middle-aged man lamenting in pain; he has been utterly degraded. He is an engineer. | Just a short distance away from my bed an Iraqi refugee, who lives with us inside the tent, is highly distressed and suffering. For years he has had pain in his eyes. It is harrowing to witness this middle-aged man lamenting in pain; he has been utterly degraded. He is an engineer. |
| The bed over on the other side is occupied by a Sudanese refugee. With high-spirited enthusiasm, he calls me over – like he always does – to show me a picture of his daughters. A feeling of joy comes over him for a moment – he laughs, recites their names, recounts that the eldest daughter is eight years old and the youngest is six – then drifts into sorrow. | The bed over on the other side is occupied by a Sudanese refugee. With high-spirited enthusiasm, he calls me over – like he always does – to show me a picture of his daughters. A feeling of joy comes over him for a moment – he laughs, recites their names, recounts that the eldest daughter is eight years old and the youngest is six – then drifts into sorrow. |
| Three years ago his wife has been killed. He has shown me their picture dozens of times by now; sharing his memories makes him smile and helps address the anguish. Then he asks me: “When will we be free?” | Three years ago his wife has been killed. He has shown me their picture dozens of times by now; sharing his memories makes him smile and helps address the anguish. Then he asks me: “When will we be free?” |
| I reply: “We’ll be free really soon, it won’t be long before we’re free again.” | I reply: “We’ll be free really soon, it won’t be long before we’re free again.” |
| After lunch I call some people outside the prison to cancel the appointments I have made with them. These days no one can really leave the camps because the security situation is dire. | After lunch I call some people outside the prison to cancel the appointments I have made with them. These days no one can really leave the camps because the security situation is dire. |
| The protest is simple today, it takes place without anyone engaging in any discussions, in an atmosphere of silence and heightened anxiety and stress. | The protest is simple today, it takes place without anyone engaging in any discussions, in an atmosphere of silence and heightened anxiety and stress. |
| For the rest of the afternoon I am on the phone. Many major media outlets are waiting in anticipation to see what happens next. | For the rest of the afternoon I am on the phone. Many major media outlets are waiting in anticipation to see what happens next. |
| The situation in the toilets has become a disaster. The prison is full of rubbish and filth. The people who were contracted to clean this place have discontinued their services and there is no trace of any cleaning products. | The situation in the toilets has become a disaster. The prison is full of rubbish and filth. The people who were contracted to clean this place have discontinued their services and there is no trace of any cleaning products. |
| At sunset the refugees try to clean the camp as best they can. | At sunset the refugees try to clean the camp as best they can. |
| In the middle of working away, some of them are making jokes. It’s always the case that when the refugees are gripped by fear they end up joking around with each other. It’s a good strategy to forget the terror and stress. | In the middle of working away, some of them are making jokes. It’s always the case that when the refugees are gripped by fear they end up joking around with each other. It’s a good strategy to forget the terror and stress. |
| The bastards don’t give many of us any dinner, but I am one of the lucky ones who get to eat. | The bastards don’t give many of us any dinner, but I am one of the lucky ones who get to eat. |
| All through the night the refugees discuss the days to come and the threats from the police. | All through the night the refugees discuss the days to come and the threats from the police. |
| No one can sleep until really late due to the fear. Hundreds of people gather in the prison yard to talk. The prison has submerged into a state of terror, the atmosphere is full of fear and anxiety. | No one can sleep until really late due to the fear. Hundreds of people gather in the prison yard to talk. The prison has submerged into a state of terror, the atmosphere is full of fear and anxiety. |
| The Australian-run Manus Island immigration detention centre is scheduled to close on 31 October, after a 2016 ruling by the Papua New Guinea supreme court that the detention of asylum seekers was illegal and unconstitutional. | The Australian-run Manus Island immigration detention centre is scheduled to close on 31 October, after a 2016 ruling by the Papua New Guinea supreme court that the detention of asylum seekers was illegal and unconstitutional. |
| In recent months authorities have shut off essential services to encourage detainees to move into other compounds or into the community. | In recent months authorities have shut off essential services to encourage detainees to move into other compounds or into the community. |
| The 770 men still on Manus, who were originally transferred from Australia after arriving by boat, have been told they must settle in PNG if they have been granted refugee status or return home. Those whose applications for asylum have been rejected have been warned they will be deported if they refuse to leave. | The 770 men still on Manus, who were originally transferred from Australia after arriving by boat, have been told they must settle in PNG if they have been granted refugee status or return home. Those whose applications for asylum have been rejected have been warned they will be deported if they refuse to leave. |
| Refugees have also been offered the opportunity to transfer to Nauru. They have been repeatedly told they will not be settled in Australia. | Refugees have also been offered the opportunity to transfer to Nauru. They have been repeatedly told they will not be settled in Australia. |
| Once closed, the centre, which sits within a PNG naval base, will return to the control of the PNG defence force | Once closed, the centre, which sits within a PNG naval base, will return to the control of the PNG defence force |
| It’s really awful that one has to stay awake all night and witness the situation here out of fear of experiencing nightmares. | It’s really awful that one has to stay awake all night and witness the situation here out of fear of experiencing nightmares. |
| Sunday 29 October | Sunday 29 October |
| I wake up at 1pm today. I was pacing along the fences for the whole night; exactly what most of the other refugees did. Today the refugees receive pre-packaged food; now the long queues for food that existed throughout the history of the prison have disappeared. The PNG police force and navy are walking around outside the camp – it seems their numbers have increased. A lot of Australian guards have left Manus and we have just been left alone here. The presence of the military has evoked an extraordinary fear. We have not been sleeping properly lately. We are expecting an attack from someone at any moment. There is nothing more agonising than witnessing the agony of others, and what is even worse is having no choice but to write about them. I am weary from writing. I am weary from writing about people who have died. I am horrified at the thought of writing. | I wake up at 1pm today. I was pacing along the fences for the whole night; exactly what most of the other refugees did. Today the refugees receive pre-packaged food; now the long queues for food that existed throughout the history of the prison have disappeared. The PNG police force and navy are walking around outside the camp – it seems their numbers have increased. A lot of Australian guards have left Manus and we have just been left alone here. The presence of the military has evoked an extraordinary fear. We have not been sleeping properly lately. We are expecting an attack from someone at any moment. There is nothing more agonising than witnessing the agony of others, and what is even worse is having no choice but to write about them. I am weary from writing. I am weary from writing about people who have died. I am horrified at the thought of writing. |
| Translated by Omid Tofighian from the American University in Cairo/University of Sydney | Translated by Omid Tofighian from the American University in Cairo/University of Sydney |
| Manus Island | Manus Island |
| Opinion | Opinion |
| Australian immigration and asylum | Australian immigration and asylum |
| Papua New Guinea | Papua New Guinea |
| Asia Pacific | Asia Pacific |
| Migration | Migration |
| Refugees | Refugees |
| comment | comment |
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