Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i
Delayed medical treatment after injuries from protest
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, April 30, 2016) – Refugee advocates say it was criminal delaying treatment and care needed for an Iranian refugee who died from injuries sustained from setting himself ablaze on Nauru.
The man, Omid, was flown to Australia on Thursday, 24 hours after he set himself alight in apparent protest in front of visiting United Nations officials.
But he died in a Brisbane hospital Friday afternoon.
The Refugee Action Coalition's Ian Rintoul said a lack of medical supplies and attention at the Nauru hospital, and the delay in arranging for the man to be transported to Australia cost him his life.
He said those responsible must be held to account.
Mr Rintoul called for the Australian government to bring...