Loghman Sawari, the 21 year-old Iranian refugee who fled Manus Island to escape Australia’s cruel detention regime, has been forcibly returned to Papua New Guinea.
Graham Thom, Refugee Coordinator at Amnesty International said: “Upon arrival, this young man must be immediately provided with medical care and trauma services. He must not be arrested, mistreated or imprisoned.”
“Amnesty International has grave concerns about Loghman Sawari’s wellbeing, following reports he was allegedly beaten and forcibly removed from Fiji this morning in a distressing and aggressive manner.
“What we need to see now is the Australian Government step up and immediately bring him to safety here in Australia. His case is extreme and he simply cannot be sent back to languish in Australia’s cruel facilities on Manus Island.
“The Australian Government forced him into this position, they’ve pushed him to his limits and now they must take responsibility to provide him with the protection he needs.
“As the US deal continues to be uncertain, the plight of those on Manus Island and Nauru has become more desperate. Australia cannot expect others to clean up the mess it created by these cruel policies; it must accept responsibility for refugees on Nauru and Manus and bring them all here to safety immediately.”
The story of Loghman Sawari, the child refugee who has been betrayed and abused by the system at every turn.#auspolhttps://t.co/qg2h2YvxNR
— Rachel Maria Scott (@RachelsTwits) February 20, 2016
Background
Loghman Sawari made headlines when he said in a video last week that he was fleeing Manus Island, in Papua New Guinea, where he had been confined for more than three years.
On 28 January, he traveled to Fiji, where he is seeking asylum on the grounds he fears persecution if he goes back to Papua New Guinea.
“This is the end for me,” said Loghman Sawari in the video, seeking to escape the cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment he suffered there, including beatings, imprisonment, living on the street and poor health.
“Loghman is a young man who fled persecution in Iran. He has been found to be a refugee. Australia didn’t respect his rights, and now Fiji is failing to do so. He came to Fiji seeking protection.
“He is entitled to a fair assessment of his claim. That process must run its course. At a time when the US and Australia are turning their back on refugees, this is a time for Fiji to show that it is different,” said Kate Schuetze, Amnesty International’s Pacific Researcher.
