In a July 29 media release, the refugee rights group Project SafeCom condemned the immigration department’s decision to order a sick nine-year-old Afghan boy living in community detention in Brisbane to be relocated to the detention facility on Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean. The relocation order was in direct contravention of the advice given by Brisbane Children’s Hospital doctors, according to Project SafeCom director Jack Smit.

The boy’s family arrived in Australia via the Torres Strait islands two months ago, and sought asylum. Soon afterwards, the boy underwent an operation to remove his spleen. “Asylum seekers who are medically vulnerable are placed in danger by being in remote detention facilities”, said Smit.

Viv Green

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