It’s not often the keynote speaker for an event doesn’t show up, but at Friday’s annual Human Rights Law Centre dinner, Behrouz Boochani was absent.
Not because he was running late or had fallen ill. Mr Boochani has been held in an offshore detention centre for the past five years.
In a speech delivered to guests from Manus Island, he condemned Australian political parties’ use of vulnerable refugees for “political profit” and expressed the view the Australian government was manipulating its people.
“Without a doubt, Australian governments have enacted an extensive propaganda campaign which centres on [national security],” Mr Boochani said via a pre-recorded video link.
“What should be a debate about people … has been deliberately poisoned to become a debate about borders and security.
“No one can ignore the fact that people have been killed and thousands of lives destroyed as a result of political power plays.”
The Manus Island processing facility ceased operating in October 2017, but hundreds of men remain there.
The Home Affairs office maintains detainees on Manus Island and Nauru have always had access to what it calls "appropriate healthcare", telling SBS News: “The Department has engaged a new health services provider from 1 May 2018.
“IHMS will work with the new health service provider during a transition period in PNG to ensure service continuity. Individuals will continue to have access to appropriate primary health services.”
