Hatam, a 36-year-old Kurdish-Iranian refugee, first sent to Manus Island in 2013, is in a critical condition in Paradise Hospital in Port Moresby. Refugee activists are calling for the Australian government to act urgently to medevac him to Australia for lifesaving treatment.

According to the Refugee Action Coalition, Hatam had been approved for medevac to Australia in 2019 but his transfer was abandoned after the Morrison government repealed the medevac legislation in December that year. Since then, consecutive Liberal and Labor governments have refused to transfer Hatam despite repeated appeals.

Hatam’s condition is an example of the plight of the 10 or 12 refugees who are suffering serious mental health problems as a result of their mistreatment in Manus Island detention.

“It is urgent that the Labor government acts to medevac Hatam to Australia,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “It is simply unconscionable that the government would deny Hatam the medical and mental health care he needs.

“Labor has a particular responsibility, as the government that sent Hatam and other refugees to Manus Island in 2013, and the government that introduced the Medevac legislation, to act now.”

When Thanush heard about Hatam’s situation, he felt moved to lend his voice to these calls.

“This is Hatam. We were together in Manus detention. After more than a decade, I have just seen this picture of him I cannot believe it.

He came to Australia seeking safety and a better future. Now, he can barely remember himself.

We have lost 12 innocent people in detention, and so many others have been left mentally broken.

When I saw this photo of him, it shattered me. This is what years of political games did to him.

Please don’t let this happen to anyone else who comes seeking safety and asylum. Let people live in peace. Give them permanency.

Hatam was once strong, full of life. Look at what was done to him.”

Take action

Write to your MP to let them know about Hatam’s situation and lend your voice to calls for Hatam to receive urgent medical care here in Australia. Head to the Refugee Action Coalition to learn more.

Refugee Leadership

This article has been shared as part of our commitment to uplifting the voices and advocacy efforts of refugee leaders at JRS Australia. As a survivor of offshore detention, Thanush advocates for the end of this practice, and long-term solutions for people who have been, or remain, detained as part of Australia’s offshore detention regime. Thanush is a leader in our Refugee Leadership Program.