Asylum seekers write letters from Manus Island

3 Jan 2013, 3:43 pm   -   Source: Phillippa Carisbrooke, SBS
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(File: AAP)

(File: AAP)

Asylum seekers held at Australia's regional processing centre on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea have begun writing about conditions there, and their reasons for seeking protection.

Audio: Pleas from asylum seekers on Manus Island

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Following is a transcript from World News Australia Radio

Asylum seekers held at Australia's regional processing centre on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea have begun writing about conditions there, and their reasons for seeking protection.

They hope the stories will raise public awareness of their situation, and lead to an improvement in their treatment.

In their accounts, many of the asylum seekers comment on the heat, and the quality of the food they are receiving.

Another regular theme is how long they will be on Manus Island.

Here, with some edits, is a little of what they have to say.

"Why have we been bought to Manus Island? It feels like we are at the end of the world. We are thinking this is not life. Death is better than existing like this. It is a big world, but it feels like there is no place for us. Why is there no justice anywhere in the world for us? We are not guilty of anything but wanting freedom and safety."

"We have never committed a crime. We have always sought to help others and be co-operative and to show we are good people who can contribute to Australia. We are just people seeking a life free from persecution and fear."

"Our situation is insane. Our children go to school that has no air conditioning in it... They have difficulty in eating because they don't like to eat because of the hot weather. Some people can't breathe in this weather.... Why do they place us in a high risk area to get a disease like malaria? People are being bitten and have sores all over their arms and legs... The water is not hygienic, it is not of a high quality, and we run out."

The Salvation Army is providing support to asylum seekers on Manus Island, and has been encouraging them to channel their frustrations in a positive way.

Its director of offshore missions, Major Paul Moulds, says for those feeling distress, putting their feelings on paper can stop them taking action that harms themselves or others.

"We are trying to help people top understand that they are free to be able to express feeling of discontent, objections to government policy, these are things that they have not often been free to do or known how to do. And so to write a letter to a parliamentarian, to put a submission to people, to contact a human right organisation, to be able to have a strong voice is something that is a new experience."

And the exercise is already yielding results.

This is an extract of a written response from the Immigration Department's regional manager for Nauru and Papua New Guinea, Paul McCormack, to one of the letters about conditions on Manus Island.

"The standard of facilities and amenities in the temporary Regional Processing Centre is in-line with the living standards and amenities for local residents... I note that there have recently been water restrictions in place in the RPC. This was caused by damage to the electrical cable bringing power to the treatment plant which provides clean drinking water.... I have been advised that technicians have now resolved the issue."

In one of the stories by the asylum seekers, a mother describes how her family fled Iran to escape religious persecution.

"My daughter was born Muslim, but three years ago she said, "I want to be an agnostic." I was worried about her, that she may get in trouble because of her beliefs and political views. I saw lots of boys and girls arrested by the government and never returned back to their families. I didn't want anything to happen to my daughter. She is my everything. My husband and I really love her..... We left everything behind in search of freedom, justice and safety."

A man in his 20s writes about the dangers he faced in Iran for playing heavy metal music.

"Heavy Metal is completely prohibited and illegal in Iran... it's known as "Evil Music."..... At an underground concert more than 60 fans were arrested, charged and locked up. Players were taken to Intelligence. Two teachers of mine were arrested also. After those happenings, I changed my job .... I sold my drums, changed my place, changed my mobile phone..... I deleted every history of my music from my life because of my fear of being arrested by the government who were intent on stopping this music."

In a letter to the media entitled "Submission to the People of Australia", some of the Manus Island detainees have made a joint appeal.

"We write this with tears, having come to your country with so much hope and expectation, only to find a policy that treats us unjustly and unfairly, without compassion or respect for our individual situations. We are so far away here, living on a remote Island, unseen, without permission yet to leave the small compound where we live.  We ask the people of Australia, do not forget us or abandon us. We respect your values, your laws and your defence of the right of freedom for all people. We want that for ourselves and our children. It is why we undertook this journey."

Asylum , Asylum Seekers , Manus Island

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NO NO NO

bryan - from Lae, 3 months ago

the asylum seekers centre should be in manus becauce the gavernment of PNG will make money and manus olso and manusys will have jobs

Foreign students live in worse conditions than that

Student - from Melbourne, 4 months ago

There are many thousands of students from poor countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri-Lanka etc. who lives in worse conditions than detention centers, crowded small rooms, without aircon, hot in summer, cold in winter and have to pay hundreds $$ per week in rent, and tens of thousands a year for uni fees, working in unpopular jobs to cover their costs, all for hope that one day Australia MAY let them stay. Somehow all these "bleeding hearts" ignore that preferring to weep about boat fakers.

stay in your place.

Kerry Rupert - from Toorak, 4 months ago

The problem these days is people don't know Their place. Their place is to stay in their country and work hard to feed oil and other raw materials western economy 's. It's the thin edge of the wedge. If they get away with this workers here will think their place isn't in the factory and the office keeping me in the life style I'm accustomed to.

MR

Recent Returnee - from Melbourne, 4 months ago

I can complare the siutation in the centre with our common australian population. Food time three to four course meals 3/da , Free med consults & medicines, school, playing facilities. Real refugees are happy to be safe there. These Iranians are real minority, do not mix with other refugees, complain about every thing, aggressive & violent, do not send their kids to school as no aircons & teachers are not good. They are life style refugess, they are thankless to our hospitality.

Don't be fooled Australia - these are not real refugees

Marie - from Manly, Sydney, 5 months ago

We need to be really worried by this influx. These people believe that because they have paid their money (albeit to illegal boat smugglers) they are entitled to everything they desire. They come with their hands out and get very nasty when their demands are not instantly met. What real refugee can afford to have plastic surgery, as many of them have had before they arrive. What real refugee complains about being housed, fed and safe! Wake up Australia , our democratic way of life is at risk

Ridiculous!

David - from Mel, 5 months ago

Read carefully..Times are hard and all we hear is pampering to their every whims. Taxpayers are sick of your demands and how this government, traitor lawyers and a small number of supporters opinion are inconsistent with the opinion of the rest of Aus population. We don't need more invaders, illegals and thugs. We need to start deporting, and their suppoters along. Don't like what you are offered? Perhaps try the refugee camps in Iran, Pakistan, Kenya.Gillard & co get ready to join them in PNG

Over it!

Bob - from NSW, 5 months ago

A bunch of ungrateful so and so! If they were in need of real protection they won't care about the heat, food, just be grateful that they are alive. Since they are economic imgrants and well to do they are arrogant, demanding and exploiting our soft and generous nature. This thugish behaviour is consistent with news out of detention centers all around the country. They stand over,broke the law of the land, disrespect property & people working to care for them. Not happy with PNG Hilton? Leave!!

none

Dano - from melb, 5 months ago

Send them all home. Sick of hearing the whingers complain about not having luxuries that even i don't have.

Shoe on the other foot

HB - from Sydney , 5 months ago

God forbid that one day Australia is taken captive and we face persecution for our believes. Imagine being tortured, raped and killed all because of an ethnicity, religion or music taste. We have plenty of room and it is not illegal to seek asylum. Open your eyes and think if it was you. Having to run away from your home out of fear and make a dangerous travel to somewhere you think can help. I am ashamed of some people's attitudes. Everyone's story if different and just as important.

Poor you

sandy - from Far North Queensland, 5 months ago

My husband (along with lots of others) works in PNG He does not have airconditioning, and thanks to the Labor govt he now pays double tax (something they introduced if you work overseas), If you think we are happy about supporting you illegal maggots who come here and demand this and demand that, and then tell us your offended. The majority of Australians would be quite happy for you to go back home. Our boys are over in your countries fighing, and you flee and come here expecting what!!!!!!!!

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