Redress for the Berati family

NEWS | Corporate Accountability

Reza Berati was just 23 years old when he was brutally murdered at the Manus Island Detention Centre. Until now, there has been very little justice or accountability. After years of fighting for some measure of justice, Reza’s family have finally settled their claim against the defendants on confidential terms.

Reza Berati was just 23 years old when he was brutally murdered. He arrived in Australia seeking safety but was instead transferred to the Manus Island Detention Centre under the Australian Government’s cruel policy designed to punish and harm refugees arriving by sea.

Reza was murdered by the very people who were supposed to be keeping him safe. In February 2014, he was beaten to death by private security guards and government contractors during a violent rampage which also left 77 other people seeking asylum injured.

Until now, there has been very little justice or accountability. Despite a 2014 Senate committee recommending that Reza’s family receive compensation, no compensation was paid – either by the Australian government or G4S, the private security firm that was responsible for security at the detention centre.

In 2021, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and the Human Rights Law Centre supported Reza’s family to take legal action against the Australian government and G4S for the loss of their son.

After years of fighting for some measure of justice, Reza’s family have finally settled their claim against the defendants on confidential terms. His parents can now find some closure.

“We still feel the pain of Reza’s absence every single day. While there is nothing that will bring our Reza back or lessen the pain of his loss, we are glad that this case is over, we are satisfied that we fought for justice for Reza and are relieved now that we can try to move on with our lives”.

“We hope that no other parent has to go through this pain and that nothing like this is allowed to happen ever again.”

- Reza Berati’s family

Reza’s family should never have had to fight for justice for their son. Our laws should clearly hold companies and governments to account when they violate human rights. Australia’s shameful experiment with indefinite offshore detention must end.