Asylum Seeker tries to set self on fire on Manus Island
 |
| Manus Island detention Center |
AAP
A detainee at the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea doused himself with fluid and threatened to set himself on fire, an MP says.
The incident, which happened last Thursday, is being investigated by the Australian Department of Immigration and security firm G4S.
Manus Island MP Ronnie Knight said a male detainee took a small can of what he thought was petrol and threatened to set himself on fire.
"He poured it over himself and tried to light himself on fire," he said.
A detainee at the Manus Island detention centre in Papua New Guinea doused himself with fluid and threatened to set himself on fire, an MP says.
The incident, which happened last Thursday, is being investigated by the Australian Department of Immigration and security firm G4S.
Manus Island MP Ronnie Knight said a male detainee took a small can of what he thought was petrol and threatened to set himself on fire.
"He poured it over himself and tried to light himself on fire," he said.
One person familiar with the incident, who declined to be named, described the detainee as disturbed, but said he did not pour fuel on himself.
"It was not fuel or petrol as stated by some sections of the PNG media," the source said, adding that the man did threaten to burn himself.
"He never succeeded in setting himself on fire."
An Australian Department of Immigration spokesman said an incident on Lombrum Naval base involving a small group of detainees is being investigated."The department as well as G4S are investigating the circumstances (of the incident)," the spokesman said.
He would not confirm if a detainee had threatened to set himself on fire.
Comment is being sought from PNG police.
The temporary facility on Manus Island has attracted criticism from the United Nations High Commission of Refugees, human rights groups and the Australian Greens.
The legality of the centre - set up under a memorandum of understanding between PNG and Australia - is set to be tested in the PNG Supreme Court in the coming weeks.
A lawyer for opposition leader Belden Namah said on Wednesday he was blocked from meeting with detainees in defiance of an interim court order handed down last week granting him access.
PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has denied an order went out to stop lawyers visiting the facility.
AAP
"It was not fuel or petrol as stated by some sections of the PNG media," the source said, adding that the man did threaten to burn himself.
"He never succeeded in setting himself on fire."
An Australian Department of Immigration spokesman said an incident on Lombrum Naval base involving a small group of detainees is being investigated."The department as well as G4S are investigating the circumstances (of the incident)," the spokesman said.
He would not confirm if a detainee had threatened to set himself on fire.
Comment is being sought from PNG police.
The temporary facility on Manus Island has attracted criticism from the United Nations High Commission of Refugees, human rights groups and the Australian Greens.
The legality of the centre - set up under a memorandum of understanding between PNG and Australia - is set to be tested in the PNG Supreme Court in the coming weeks.
A lawyer for opposition leader Belden Namah said on Wednesday he was blocked from meeting with detainees in defiance of an interim court order handed down last week granting him access.
PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has denied an order went out to stop lawyers visiting the facility.
AAP
Post a Comment