Male asylum seekers in the Delta and Oscar compounds have barricaded themselves in as protests continue for a seventh day at the Australian immigration processing facility on Manus Island in PNG.
The hunger strikes have seen 200 asylum seekers collapse so far, according to refugee advocates.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul told SBS that an asylum seeker had also been airlifted to Port Moresby after a self-harm incident on Monday morning.
He said unless action was taken, the situation could only go "downhill".
“I just think the medical centre is struggling to deal with people collapsing,” he said.
Security staff have also reportedly seized the leaders of a hunger strike and put them in a high-security isolation unit, while authorities attempted to force water down the throat of two unconscious asylum seekers in the compound, Ian Rintoul told reporters.
The protests come almost one year after the fatal riots that resulted in the death of Iranian asylum seeker Reza Barati.
A review conducted by former public servant Robert Cornall found that the riots were in part due to growing frustration over the delay in processing refugee status determinations, anger over “uncertainty about their future” and anger at being brought to PNG.
The claims are at odds with the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton's description of the situation.
He said some protesters had engaged in aggressive behaviour.
"The actions of some transferees are actively preventing the delivery of food, water and medical services to others who are not participating in the protest," Mr Dutton said in a statement on Monday.
"Water has not been 'cut off'."
Mr Dutton said the "disturbing actions" of protesters over the weekend put centre staff as well as other detainees in danger.
"Transferee threats to staff will not be tolerated - nor will action to coerce other transferees into protesting."
Mr Dutton also labelled the refugee advocate's claims "false and irresponsible", saying they undermine the work of Manus Island staff who are trying to engage with detainees.
Mr Rintoul says there's no evidence protesters have been aggressive.
'They're frightened'
A source from within the centre told SBS that asylum seekers had run out of both food and water inside the Delta compound.
The staff member said the men were drinking from drains to avoid allowing authorities inside.
“They’ve barricaded themselves in,” she said.
“They’re frightened.”
She said colleagues had been informed that both local and Australian forces were due to arrive onsite on Monday, when they would force their way into the centre and arrest detainees.
In a statement released today, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the protesters had chosen a "disruptive path".
"This behaviour is irresponsible and not only puts service provider staff in danger, but also other transferees," he said.
Mr Dutton rejected claims that detainees' access to water had been cut off.
"Transferees are not being refused food and water – the actions of some transferees are actively preventing the delivery of food, water and medical services to others who are not participating in the protest. Water has not been “cut-off” - water supply continues to meet the needs of the Centre."
‘There is no safety’
Asylum seekers have described themselves as “hostages for the Australian Government” as they reportedly deal with shortages of food and water.
In a letter sent to SBS, more than 80 detainees stated that they weren’t willing to resettle in Papua New Guinea due to fears for their lives.
“There is no safety and any future for us and our family,” it read.
“Today we are consider [sic] as hostages for the Australian government so they can deter others to not come to Australia.”
Refugee Action Collective spokesman Chris Breen said the asylum seekers wanted a guarantee that they would not be forcefully moved to Longerau - which is outside the compound - on Thursday.
“Many asylum seekers fear for their lives if they are forced to Longerau,” he said.
“Rather than send in thugs to attack asylum seekers, Peter Dutton should agree to this entirely reasonable request.”
‘They need empathy and compassion’
The Greens have urged the government to send an independent team of mediators to the Manus Island facility amid reports that asylum seekers are being refused food and water.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said independent action was needed before the situation deteriorated further.
In a statement, Senator Hanson-Young said a “circuit breaker” was necessary.
“I am calling on the government to send an independent team of mediators into the centre immediately,” she said.
“The refugees inside the camp are clearly distressed and broken. They need empathy and compassion not simply ‘tough talk’.”
Her comments follow those made by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who called for transparency over the ongoing protests.
'The government won't tolerate it'
Australia's new Immigration Minister Peter Dutton last week voiced concerns about the “volatile situation” on Manus Island.
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 centre.
“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, stating that 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.
