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.

On behalf of the 550th man on Manus

Dear Prime Minister,

Over the last few days, shocking images of a man tied to a bed have been posted on social media. Today RadioNZ reports that the man, who has been detained by Australia on Manus Island since 2013, is on a hunger strike in protest against medical neglect. He is restrained in a Port Moresby hospital because staff, who do not have the resources to treat his diabetes and hypertension, have obtained a court order to force-feed and medicate him. They have slapped him during the forced feeding sessions.

Amnesty International's Kate Schuetze condemns Australia for its cruel policies of punishment and warns that 'it's only a matter of time before it's going to jeopardise someone's right to life.'

Do you care, Prime Minister, about a person's right to life? Since 2013, 11 refugees have died on Manus and Nauru. In your worldview are some people dispensable? How many? Under what circumstances?

Ruth HalbertComment