Ruth Halbert
artist, weaver
Paper boat Rud.jpg

Blog: Dear Prime Minister

On July 30 2016 I started writing letters to the Prime Minister of Australia to protest against the imprisonment and torture of the asylum seekers in the offshore detention centres of Manus Island and Nauru. I started with the intention of writing a letter a day for every person in detention until they are all freed. There are more than 1800 asylum seekers in off shore detention. These are those letters and any response from Mr Turnbull.

End offshore detention #246

Dear Prime Minister,

IHMS has withdrawn its (inadequate, negligent) health services to the detainees on Manus Island. The detainees have ben told that Paradise Private Hospital in Port Moresby will be the new health care provider. Port Moresby is more than 800km from Manus Island. How can Paradise take over the health services on Manus Island from that distance, with less than one day's notice?

“Hundreds of refugees are seriously sick and need medical treatment. We have a logical fear of our medical needs being neglected again.”
— Behrouz Boochani, http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/327946/embattled-healthcare-provider-leaves-manus

What urgent action is the Australian government taking to ensure full health care to the detainees on Manus Island?

And what action is the Australian government taking to protect the detainees on Nauru from the current dengue fever outbreak?

health careRuth Halbertrefugees, Manus Island, human rightsComment