OMEN
04-15-2006, 08:02 PM
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Thin blue line ... police confront Villawood protesters
TWO immigration detainees have been taken to hospital, including one who had swallowed razorblades, while refugee advocates rallied at Villawood detention centre.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Mark Goudkamp told a group of about 80 people protesting against the Federal Government's new hardline immigration policy that a male detainee at the Holsworthy Army Barracks had tried to commit suicide.
"One of the Chinese detainees at Holsworthy has just attempted to commit suicide by swallowing razor blades," Mr Goudkamp said to the group at Villawood in Sydney's west.
"So it is clear that the mental illness inducing conditions that exist here (at Villawood) also exist out there (at Holsworthy)."
The 160 detainees at Holsworthy are among 260 temporarily relocated after asbestos was found at Villawood.
Mr Goudkamp said the man had been complaining for several days of an eye condition, but was ignored by detention centre officials.
"It was after a second refusal for help this morning that he swallowed the razor blades, out of pure frustration," he said.
An immigration department spokesman confirmed that two detainees were taken to Liverpool Hospital.
However, he said the two instances were not related, with the second detainee hospitalised for on-going treatment.
The spokesman said there were no fears today's incident would spark other suicide attempts.
"It appears to be an isolated case," he said.
A spokeswoman for Liverpool Hospital said the detainee who had attempted to take his life was in a stable condition and would be kept overnight.
Protesters tonight held a vigil for the man outside the hospital.
In a separate incident, Immigration have also confirmed a small fire was discovered in a toilet where detainees are being held in Holsworthy but it was "quickly put out".
Meanwhile, police outnumbered demonstrators at today's Villawood protest.
The activists, some of whom camped in a park near the detention centre overnight, were protesting against this week's Federal Government decision to have all asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat processed at offshore facilities.
Another Refugee Action Coalition spokesman, Alex Leszczynski, said today's protest, on Easter Saturday, one of Christianity's holiest days, was religiously symbolic.
"For those Christians out there, they should realise it is against Christian values to lock people up who have committed absolutely no crime," Mr Leszczynski said.
"They should also realise that this Government does not represent Christian Values.
"It is opposed to everything Christianity stands for – equality and love for all your fellow human beings."
The action was part of a weekend of protests which will take place in several states.
About 80 activists gathered at Holsworthy yesterday, demanding access to the detainees held there.
A protest outside Kirribilli House, the Prime Minister's Sydney home, is planned for tomorrow morning.
News.AU
Thin blue line ... police confront Villawood protesters
TWO immigration detainees have been taken to hospital, including one who had swallowed razorblades, while refugee advocates rallied at Villawood detention centre.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Mark Goudkamp told a group of about 80 people protesting against the Federal Government's new hardline immigration policy that a male detainee at the Holsworthy Army Barracks had tried to commit suicide.
"One of the Chinese detainees at Holsworthy has just attempted to commit suicide by swallowing razor blades," Mr Goudkamp said to the group at Villawood in Sydney's west.
"So it is clear that the mental illness inducing conditions that exist here (at Villawood) also exist out there (at Holsworthy)."
The 160 detainees at Holsworthy are among 260 temporarily relocated after asbestos was found at Villawood.
Mr Goudkamp said the man had been complaining for several days of an eye condition, but was ignored by detention centre officials.
"It was after a second refusal for help this morning that he swallowed the razor blades, out of pure frustration," he said.
An immigration department spokesman confirmed that two detainees were taken to Liverpool Hospital.
However, he said the two instances were not related, with the second detainee hospitalised for on-going treatment.
The spokesman said there were no fears today's incident would spark other suicide attempts.
"It appears to be an isolated case," he said.
A spokeswoman for Liverpool Hospital said the detainee who had attempted to take his life was in a stable condition and would be kept overnight.
Protesters tonight held a vigil for the man outside the hospital.
In a separate incident, Immigration have also confirmed a small fire was discovered in a toilet where detainees are being held in Holsworthy but it was "quickly put out".
Meanwhile, police outnumbered demonstrators at today's Villawood protest.
The activists, some of whom camped in a park near the detention centre overnight, were protesting against this week's Federal Government decision to have all asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat processed at offshore facilities.
Another Refugee Action Coalition spokesman, Alex Leszczynski, said today's protest, on Easter Saturday, one of Christianity's holiest days, was religiously symbolic.
"For those Christians out there, they should realise it is against Christian values to lock people up who have committed absolutely no crime," Mr Leszczynski said.
"They should also realise that this Government does not represent Christian Values.
"It is opposed to everything Christianity stands for – equality and love for all your fellow human beings."
The action was part of a weekend of protests which will take place in several states.
About 80 activists gathered at Holsworthy yesterday, demanding access to the detainees held there.
A protest outside Kirribilli House, the Prime Minister's Sydney home, is planned for tomorrow morning.
News.AU