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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/07/manus-staff-answer-sheet-revealed-why-shouldnt-i-hate-australians
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| Manus staff answer sheet revealed: 'Why shouldn’t I hate Australians?' | Manus staff answer sheet revealed: 'Why shouldn’t I hate Australians?' |
| (6 months later) | |
| A two-page guide has been prepared by staff providing mental health services to asylum seekers advising how to respond to “frequently asked questions” about the unrest at the Manus Island processing centre. | A two-page guide has been prepared by staff providing mental health services to asylum seekers advising how to respond to “frequently asked questions” about the unrest at the Manus Island processing centre. |
| The guide was obtained by the ABC andoffers advice to staff from International Health and Medical Services on how to respond to questions from asylum seekers about events over the past few weeks, which led to the death of one asylum seeker, Reza Barati, and saw dozens more seriously injured. Guardian Australia understands the document was prepared by IHMS staff on the island, but is not considered an official IHMS document or manual. | |
| “It has been a very disorganised time and things aren’t normal. We are personally very sorry for Reza’s death and tell you that honestly and sincerely. We will also tell the other stakeholders your feelings and ask if someone will say sorry to you for what has happened,” the guide says. | “It has been a very disorganised time and things aren’t normal. We are personally very sorry for Reza’s death and tell you that honestly and sincerely. We will also tell the other stakeholders your feelings and ask if someone will say sorry to you for what has happened,” the guide says. |
| “All this happened in the dark in a very volatile situation. It was not planned and you were not targeted. You could say it was an awful accident but that would not adequately describe what you have been through.” | “All this happened in the dark in a very volatile situation. It was not planned and you were not targeted. You could say it was an awful accident but that would not adequately describe what you have been through.” |
| The responses then say that “sometimes bad things happen to good people and there is no reason”. | The responses then say that “sometimes bad things happen to good people and there is no reason”. |
| The letter also poses the question “Why shouldn’t I hate Australians?” and says that “we are certain that from your own experience you understand that the people of a country are not the same as the government. There are many Australians who care and want to help”. | The letter also poses the question “Why shouldn’t I hate Australians?” and says that “we are certain that from your own experience you understand that the people of a country are not the same as the government. There are many Australians who care and want to help”. |
| “On both sides there is a lot of anger and suspicion and hopefully, over time, this will calm down.” | “On both sides there is a lot of anger and suspicion and hopefully, over time, this will calm down.” |
| The guide also advised staff to tell the asylum seekers not to “antagonise the local people”. While there have been conflicting reports about what happened on the island, there have been reports that local G4S staff and residents entered the compound with machetes, rocks and other weapons. | The guide also advised staff to tell the asylum seekers not to “antagonise the local people”. While there have been conflicting reports about what happened on the island, there have been reports that local G4S staff and residents entered the compound with machetes, rocks and other weapons. |
| The Greens have succeeded in their push for a Senate inquiry into events at the island with the backing of the Labor party. The immigration department has also commissioned a former public servant, Robert Cornall, to review the disturbances. | The Greens have succeeded in their push for a Senate inquiry into events at the island with the backing of the Labor party. The immigration department has also commissioned a former public servant, Robert Cornall, to review the disturbances. |