12 Jun 2019

Plea for evacuation of refugees from Nauru and Manus Island

7:15 am on 12 June 2019

The Morrison government must immediately evacuate refugees on Nauru and Manus Island to safety, Australia's Human Rights Law Centre says.

A suicidal refugee is evacuated from the East Lorengau Transit Centre.

A suicidal refugee is evacuated from the East Lorengau Transit Centre. Photo: Abdul Aziz Muhamat

The call comes after another man held on Papua New Guinea's Manus by Australia attempted suicide on Monday.

It's the latest of more than 50 incidents of attempted suicide and self-harm by refugees on Manus and Nauru since the Australian election last month.

The legal director with the Human Rights Law Centre, Katie Robertson, said the situation on both islands was rapidly deteriorating and Australia's government has to act now to ensure the refugees' safety.

"We are very, very concerned about the situation that is unfolding offshore," Ms Robertson said.

"Therefore, we are renewing our call on the Australian government to do the right thing and immediately transfer these men and women to safety."

There are about 550 refugees in PNG and over 300 on Nauru.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs