#ElevenYearsTooLong
Since July 2013, people in Australia’s care in Papua New Guinea and Nauru have been subjected to an unconscionably cruel and brutal regime of indefinite detention and enforced uncertainty.
Over this time a humanitarian crisis has unfolded, resulting in the tragic loss of life of 14 people in Australia’s care. Despite so much suffering, the Australian Government continues to detain people in Nauru, and refuses to evacuate the people it has abandoned in PNG. The Government must end this shameful policy and ensure every person who has suffered under it has a safe and permanent home.
“#ElevenYearsTooLong
Today marks 11 years since the announcement of the Australian Governments cruel offshore detention policy. ”
“The Australian Government commits further funding to assist with the management of people who remain in PNG after Australia’s supposed withdrawal from offshore processing in the country. Nearly 50 people remain, many of whom have no resettlement pathways. ”
“After successive transfers, the number of people held in Nauru reaches 100. The Australian Government confiscates all smart phones, cutting people off from the outside world. There is no plan for their permanent resettlement. ”
“Faysal Ishak Ahmed - Coronial
Coronial inquest into the death of Faysal Ishak Ahmed, who collapsed on Manus Island after requesting medical treatment for months, begins in the Queensland Coroner’s Court eight years after his death.”
“The Richardson Review into the management of offshore processing contracts finds the Department of Home Affairs paid millions of dollars to private companies suspected of bribery, drug smuggling and weapons trafficking.
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“Michael Pezzullo is fired from his role as the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs for misconduct, including attempting to exert political influence over government. ”
“Refugees in PNG face evictions from their homes after service providers say they have not been paid for more than a year. Funding provided by the Australian Government for their care has run out. The PNG Government launches investigations into allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the funds. Despite an announcement that many people will soon be evacuated to Australia, this does not eventuate. ”
“Statistics reveal the Labor Government has returned over 200 people, including 14 children, to their countries of origin in boat turnback or takeback operations in its first nine months since taking office. ”
“The first settlement is reached in one of more than 50 negligence cases filed against the Australian Government in 2018-2019 on behalf of people in offshore detention requiring urgent medical care. ”
“First new transfers of people to offshore detention in 9 years
A group of 11 people, including one child, are intercepted at sea and taken to the regional processing centre in Nauru. They are the first people transferred to Nauru since 2014. Eight of the 11 people are subsequently returned to their country of origin. ”
“#TenYearsTooLong
This day marks ten years since former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s announcement that every person arriving in Australia by boat to seek safety would be sent to offshore detention. Throughout the following decade and beyond, the policy caused immeasurable suffering and the tragic deaths of 14 people. Despite its disastrous impacts, the Albanese Government fails to end offshore detention for good. ”
“The remaining refugees still held in Nauru are brought to Australia, after almost a decade of offshore detention. Around 80 people previously detained on Manus Island remain trapped in PNG. ”
“Parliament approves the redesignation of Nauru as a regional processing country, after the instrument from 2012 lapsed. ABC News ”
“At Parliament House in Canberra, Behrouz Boochani calls for a royal commission into Australia’s immigration detention regime. ABC News ”
“The Migration Amendment (Evacuation to Safety) Bill 2023, which would offer transfer to Australia to people remaining in Nauru and Papua New Guinea is introduced to Parliament. It is opposed by both major parties. A Senate committee inquiry urged the government to urgently consider all available options evacuate people remaining offshore, but stops short of supporting the bill. Read the Senate’s report ”
“The UN Committee Against Torture handed down its concluding observations in relation to Australia, calling for the Australian Government to end offshore processing, take measures to protect the rights of people remaining offshore, and provide reparations for victims of human rights violations. UN Concluding Observations ”
“The first group of 6 refugees arrive in New Zealand from Nauru, approximately nine years after they first arrived in Australia. ABC News ”
“Private prison operator Management and Training Corporation takes over Nauru offshore processing contracts from Canstruct International.”
“Mostafa Azimitabar, who spent 15 months detained in hotels after being transferred to Australia from Papua New Guinea under the Medevac legislation, launches legal action in the Federal Court challenging the lawfulness of hotel detention. ABC News ”
“Federal election
Anthony Albanese becomes Prime Minister.”
“The UK Parliament passes the Nationality and Borders Act. The legislation authorises externalisation measures modeled on Australia’s offshore detention regime, further weakening global refugee protection efforts. ”
“The Morrison Government signs a secret deal with the government of Papua New Guinea to provide ongoing funding for accommodation and services to the people left behind after Australia’s withdrawal from offshore processing, despite publicly claiming that Australia has no ongoing involvement. ”
“#8YearsTooLong
Eight years of limbo and suffering for more than 230 people still held in Nauru and Papua New Guinea, as well as more than 100 who were brought to Australia but remain in indefinite detention.
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“Releases from detention
Approximately 50 people are released from detention in Brisbane. Many had been detained for more than 18 months following their transfer to Australia under the Medevac legislation. Others remain in detention around the country.”
“Death of Abdirahman Ahmed Mohammed
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“More than 60 people are released from detention in Melbourne. Many had been detained for more than 18 months following their transfer to Australia under the Medevac legislation.”
“Men detained in Melbourne since being brought to Australia under the Medevac legislation are transferred from the Mantra Hotel to the Park Hotel. They remain detained more than seven years after first arriving in Australia.”
“Behrouz Boochani granted refugee status in New Zealand
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“Protests and rallies are held in Brisbane and Melbourne to mark seven years of the offshore detention policy
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“WHO declares COVID-19 pandemic
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“The International Criminal Court assesses that the conditions of offshore detention appear to constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and a violation of fundamental rules of international law. ”
“Medevac is repealed
Bill to repeal the Medevac legislation passes the Parliament and becomes law.
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“Behrouz Boochani leaves PNG
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“Sayed Mirwais Rohani dies
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“#SixYearsTooLong
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“A Somali refugee on Manus Island sets himself on fire, amid a worsening mental health crisis.”
“The Coalition wins federal election
Scott Morrison and the Coalition win the federal election.”
“The Medevac Bill becomes law
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“No more children detained on Nauru
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“The faces and stories of the children detained on Nauru appear on the front page of The Daily Telegraph.”
“Fariborz Karami dies
Iranian asylum seeker Fariborz Karami dies by suicide on Nauru.
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“Salim Kyawning dies
Rohingya man Salim Kyawning dies after throwing himself from moving vehicle.
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“Jahingir dies
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“Rajeev Rajendran dies
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“Hamed Shamshiripour dies
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“Kamil Hussain dies
Kamil Hussain, a 34 year old Pakistani man, dies on Manus Island. The Australian government initially refuses to help repatriate his body. ”
“Rakib Khan dies
A Bangladeshi man, Rakib Khan, dies in Nauru of a suspected suicide. ”
“A 22 year old Somali refugee set herself on fire, and was evacuated to Australia with life threatening burns. ”
“The Manus Island detention centre becomes an “open centre” in response to being judged unlawful by the PNG Supreme Court. ”
“Omid Masoumali dies
Omid Masoumali dies in Australia after self-immolating on Nauru. ”
“Immigration Minister Peter Dutton bows to public pressure and releases Baby Asha into the Australian community. ”
“Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital refuses to discharge one-year-old “Baby Asha” without a government guarantee that she won’t be returned to Nauru. ”
“The High Court of Australia rejects a challenge to the legality of the offshore processing regime. The Government’s victory largely rested on a last-minute retrospective amendment to the Migration Act. ”
“#LetThemStay
The #LetThemStay movement begins, thousands of people campaign to ensure that people, including babies, at risk of return to Manus or Nauru are allowed to stay. ”
“Save the Children leave Nauru. ”
“Nauru suddenly declares its detention centre “open” 48 hours before High Court case on the legality of offshore detention on Nauru. ”
“Malcolm Turnbull becomes Prime Minister of Australia. ”
“The Australian Border Force Act 2015 took effect. Secrecy provisions in the Act make it a crime punishable by two years’ imprisonment for medical professionals, teachers and other people employed in offshore detention centres to disclose information about conditions in detention. ”
“Men held in Manus Island detention centre begin a two week hunger strike. ”
“Scott Morrison accuses Save the Children staff on Nauru of “coaching” people seeking asylum to self-harm, and 9 staff are deported from Nauru. Morrison announces Moss review into sexual assault and abuse under cover of these accusations. ”
“Australia makes a deal to send refugees from Nauru to Cambodia. ”
“Hamid Kehazaei dies
Hamid Kehazaei, a 24 year old Iranian man, dies in a Brisbane hospital after he developed septicemia on Manus Island after cutting his foot. ”
“Sayed Ibrahim Hussein dies
Hussein drowned when he was caught in a rip swimming in the Galab channel off Nauru. ”
“The Human Rights Law Centre and Amnesty International inspect the Manus detention centre, the only time that journalists and advocates have been allowed inside the centre. ”
“Reza Barati is murdered
Reza Barati, a 24 year old Iranian man, is murdered by detention centre staff during protests at the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre. ”
“Protests at the Manus Island Detention Centre lead to violence when detention centre staff and locals entered the centre attack. One person was killed and 77 people were injured. ”
“The UNHCR reported on conditions in the offshore processing facilities in Nauru and Manus Island. It found that men, women and children were being held in “arbitrary detention in conditions that do not meet international standards.” ”
“Operation Sovereign Borders begins
Tony Abbott becomes Prime Minister of Australia. Operation Sovereign Borders, a military-led border security operation designed to prevent boats carrying asylum seekers from arriving in Australia, commences. ”
“Australia signs new agreement with Nauru to detain and resettle refugees in their community.”
“A case is filed in the Supreme Court of PNG contesting the legality of Manus Island Detention centre. ”
“No person seeking asylum by boat to be resettled in Australia
Then PM Kevin Rudd announced that no person seeking asylum by boat in Australia would ever be allowed to settle here. He announced a “Regional Resettlement Arrangement” with PNG to detain and process protection claims in PNG. ”