Protests inside Christmas Island detention Centre - Crack down begins after mass break-out

Many returned to the detention later on. At least 20 of them have been handcuffed and taken to the high security management unit.

Since it's construction protesters from inside and outside demand the closure of the Christmas Island's detention centre. Several hunger strikes and revolts happened to demand "protection not detention". The protests are mainly directed against lengthy visa processing times and the living conditions in the inside of the overcrowded centre.

Documentation of two media releases by Refugee Action Coalition Sydney and a call for protest to support the refugee breakout on Christmas Island on 15th of March 2011 in Sydney.

Asylum seekers break-out of Christmas Island detention centre

Media release, 12 March 2011

Reports from asylum seekers on Christmas Island indicate that at least 150 asylum seekers, believed to be mostly Iranian, have broken out of Christmas Island detention centre.

All Serco guards have withdrawn from the detention compound and are believed to be searching for the escaped detainees.

The trouble began around 11.30 Christmas Island time and seems to have been concentrated on the main compounds of the detention centre. All compounds have been locked down, leaving remaining asylum seekers unattended.

From early reports it seems that tension and frustration has been building over delays with processing asylum claims and restrictions that were placed on movements between compounds on Friday.

"The latest events on Christmas Island are just the latest indications that Christmas Island should be closed. The over-crowding, the lack if resources, the remoteness make Christmas Island a particularly unsuitable place for asylum seekers.

"The delays in processing are unforgivable," said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, "There are refugees waiting for over 18 months for security clearances after they have been found to be refugees."

Crack down begins on Christmas Island - Refugee supporters say "Open the gates"

Media release March 14, 2011

There are disturbing reports from Christmas Island asylum seekers that a number, perhaps 20, of the people who escaped from the detention centre on Friday night have been handcuffed and taken to the high security management unit, Red Compound, last night (ie Sunday night).

Some reports indicate that up to 20 people may have been taken to the Red Compound. At least two Afghans, one a teacher, inside the detention centre, were handcuffed and taken away last night.

While it still seems that up to 50 asylum seekers are still outside the compound, after heavy rain last night many returned to the detention centre to spend the night.

One of those involved in the original break out on Friday said, "The rain was very heavy and we had nowhere for shelter. We thought maybe we have achieved all we could. We didn't want a confrontation with the police."

He also reports that two Iranians who had been outside "are missing". It is unclear whether they are still on the outside or among those now imprisoned in Red Compound.

"We are extremely concerned to hear that the government is using the Red Compound to 'restore order.' The government had promised that it would not use force against the protesters. But it seems promises to asylum seekers are worth nothing.

"Their only crime was to hold a peaceful protest at the appalling conditions on Christmas Island. More repression mistreatment of asylum seekers at the detention centre will only increase the high level of tension inside the detention centre," said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.

"As a first step, the government should release those in Red Compound and open the gates of Christmas Island. It is clear that their high security 'factory for mental illness serves no good purpose and is not needed on the island.

"We are calling on Serco, the police and the government to exercise restraint. There is a good case for human rights observers to be flown to the island to ensure there are no more incidents of force against protesters.

"The ball is in the government's court. There needs to be urgent action to end the terrible delays in processing refugee claims and to close Christmas Island."

Protest to support the refugee breakout on Christmas Island

Date and Time: Tue, 15/03/2011 - 12:30pm - 2:15pm
Location: Immigration department, 23 Lee St, Sydney

Around 250 detainees have broken out of the Christmas Island detention centre, frustrated at the long delays processing their refugee claims and the feeling of hopelessness caused by being kept in detention. Asylum seekers are coming and going from the detention centre peacefully. Some have used their freedom to visit friends and relatives in the family compound that in usual circumstances they are cruelly prevented from seeing.

This latest episode makes it clear that Christmas Island, along with all the other detention centres, must be closed. The over-crowding, the lack of resources, the remoteness make Christmas Island a particularly unsuitable place for asylum seekers. In recent months both the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission have condemned conditions there.

Source :: refugeeaction.org.au, 12. Mar 2011, :: refugeeaction.org.au, 14. Mar 2011, :: indymedia.org.au, 14. Mar 2011.