Australia will pay detained on Manus island more than $70 million
The Australian government has agreed to pay to the detainees on Manus island more than $70 million in "the largest settlement within a human rights class" in the country's history.
Over 1,900 detainees reported that they for all time have suffered from serious physical and psychological injury in the settlement, located on the island of Papua New Guinea, in the period from 2012 to 2016. Australian law firm Slater and Gordon, which represents the plaintiffs, confirmed that Wednesday was a deal with the government, although it has not yet been approved by the court.
35-year-old Iranian prisoner Majid Kumase, who was in center for 11 months after fleeing from Iran, was the lead plaintiff in the case. "I came to Australia in search of peace, but I was sent to Manus, which was hell," said Kamasa in a statement. Australia has long been criticized for their offshore centres including Manus, where in 2012 thousands of asylum-seekers and refugees were abused. Claims for mental trauma, physical illness, attempted self-harm and even violent attacks were regularly reported since their discovery. At least 3 people were killed.
The Australian government announced in August 2016, it will close the centre of the island of Manus, although there was no announcement about exactly when this might happen. As of April 821 people were still detained by Australia on Manus island.
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