Unconfirmed reports of fresh violence at the Manus Island detention centre have emerged, with refugee advocates claiming that security guards and locals have attacked protesters inside the Oscar and Delta Compounds.
The Refugee Action Collective has claimed that security guards began “attacking and beating protesters” around 4pm, Manus Island time.
Collective spokesman Chris Breen provided SBS with photos, which he claimed showed guards, police, locals and the Transfield Emergency Response Team attacking detainees.
Images provided by Mr Breen also claim to show police in full riot gear.
Images provided to SBS which advocates claim show guards, police, locals and the Transfield Emergency Response Team attacking detainees.
“Manus Island is not safe for asylum seekers,” he said.
“It must be shut and the asylum seekers and refugees brought to Australia.”
Other images provided to SBS show a man being carried on a stretcher. It is not known if he is a detainee at the centre.
Images provided to SBS which advocates claim show guards, police, locals and the Transfield Emergency Response Team attacking detainees.
'The government won't tolerate it'
The reports of unrest come just hours after Australia's new Immigration Minister Peter Dutton voiced concerns about the “volatile situation” on Manus Island, where dozens of asylum seekers have reportedly sewn their lips together as part of a wider protest.
In his first press appearance since being appointed to the portfolio in December, Mr Dutton told reporters there had been self-harm attempts at the Manus Island Detention Centre, but said he would not comment specifically on individual cases and would not confirm reports of a mass hunger strike.
“I want to confirm that there have been a number of incidents of self-harm within Manus and that the authorities are providing medical assistance and offers of support and medical assistance to those people,” he said.
“Some of those transferees have taken up that offer. Others have rejected that offer.”
Mr Dutton said there had been no fatalities as a result of the ongoing protests, which began on Tuesday.
He said the self harm incidents would not change the government’s policy on border security.
“We as a government are absolutely determined to make sure that people who arrive by boat will not be settled in this country," he said.
The Minister partly blamed Australia-based supporters of the detainees, for the protests.
Images from the Delta compound at the Manus Island Detention Centre, provided to SBS.
“My very clear message today is to people that would seek to misinform those transferees, that somehow if their behaviour is changed or that they become non-compliant, that somehow that will result in them settling in Australia,” he said.
“It will not. And I repeat that to the people who are in Manus at the moment, but to centres otherwise, that is a very clear, strong and determined message from me as minister. And that will not change.”
Mr Dutton, whose department had earlier this week denied the protest action, outlined his strong position in the wake of his predecessor.
“For those transferees at Manus, under a new minister, our resolve is at least as strong as it was under Minister Morrison,” he said.
“I repeat that today for the benefit of those who are either advocating or providing advice to people to act in a non-compliant way, it is unacceptable and the government won't tolerate it.”
Mr Dutton said he would be travelling to Manus Island and Nauru, but did not provide a timeframe to the media.
‘Harsh words and hard soundbites’
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young condemned Mr Dutton's response, describing it as "woefully inadequate".
Senator Hanson-Young said his harsh words would not contain the situation, but instead "inflame" it.
"Rather than a heartfelt response... all we have from the Immigration Minister is harsh words and hard soundbites," she said.
Their comments come two days after video footage emerged of detainees on Manus Island, where one man reportedly required emergency medical treatment after swallowing razor blades.
Images from within the Manus Island Detention Centre, provided to SBS.
‘What do we want? Freedom’
SBS obtained footage shot inside the centre, along with a series of images, from an asylum seeker who said there was a mass hunger strike underway.
The grainy footage was said to be shot on Wednesday evening and shows a group of men chanting "What do we want? Freedom!"
Some of the photographs show detainees sitting on the floor in a large room.
Other photographs, which SBS has decided not to publish, show proof of self-harm.
The detainee told SBS via telephone that the men had gathered there in protest and were refusing to return to their rooms.
"We start hunger strike…and we stop all activities," he told SBS by phone yesterday.
"More than 220 people didn’t go for breakfast and lunch today and others will join us tomorrow."
Another image showed an asylum seeker who appeared to have his lips sewn shut.
Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition said the detainees were protesting against their lengthy detention, poor conditions, and the prospect of resettling in Papua New Guinea.
Images from within the Manus Island Detention Centre, provided to SBS.
Fifty refugees are due to be moved to accommodation at the Lorengau settlement on Manus next week.
“They see both the immigration department and the PNG government as effectively throwing them to the wolves. Even for people who have been found to be refugees, there is no safe resettlement on Papua New Guinea” Mr Rintoul said.
PNG government denies reports of violence
A spokesperson for the PNG government has denied reports of violence between asylum seekers and security staff at the centre.
"There was no physical engagement between asylum seekers and security personnel," a PNG government spokesman told ABC.
"Security [staff] were on standby for safety reasons considering the reported rise in tension.
"This is only natural to ensure the safety of the workers as well as people in the facility following media reports of self-harm," the spokesman said.
With staff reporters.
