Death Behind Curtin
As the curtain falls on the 2010 election campaign, a 30 year old Afghani man whose visa application has been frozen died this Saturday at the notorious Curtin detention centre. The timing of this death is a sad reminder of the suffering inflicted by the insidious exploitation of asylum seekers for votes.
Reports indicate that the man was found unconscious and was taken by ambulance to Derby Hospital and then transferred by air overnight to Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital where he later died. Whilst the circumstances of the death are yet to be determined, the isolation and harsh conditions in the Curtin detention centre wouldn’t have aided his condition. In condemning the reopening of the Curtin detention centre, Amnesty International noted that “detaining these highly vulnerable people in a detention centre more than 2,200 kilometers away from Perth will…. limit their access to health, counselling and legal services, and greatly increase the negative psychological impact of prolonged detention.”
Curtin isn’t an isolated case. Due to overcrowding in the detention centres, many asylum seekers who have fled conflict areas suffering from critical physical and mental health issues are not having their needs addressed. Ramesh Fernandez, CEO of RISE and an ex-detainee says “the medical conditions are inadequate and the situation is reaching breaking point. It’s ironic that both major parties are proposing to setup regional centres whilst existing Australian run centres are struggling to cope”.
The overlooked death of this individual who was fleeing persecution in search of safety highlights the political and societal indifference to the plight of asylum seekers. With both parties unable or unwilling to set principled policies for Australia, the morality of incarcerating asylum seekers has been muzzled by opportunistic political fear-mongering.
In the wake of a hung parliament and public dissatisfaction with both leaders, there has been plenty of talk for new leadership that seeks to uphold values and set a vision rather than secure votes. Let’s hope in this re-examination of leadership, the plight and suffering of asylum seekers isn’t forgotten.