Iranian Refugees Beaten By Police Outside Australian-run Refugee Camp

[TomSea]

Iranian refugees beaten by police outside Australian-run refugee camp

Two Iranians, who have applied for refugee status in Australia, have been assaulted and severely beaten by police in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where Canberra runs refugee detention camps, an activist group says.

Identified only as Mehdi and Mohammad, the Iranians were on their way to celebrations for New Year’s Eve outside the Australian-run detention camp on the PNG’s Manus Island when they were approached by police, told they could not be outside the camp, and heavily beaten, according to Refugee Action Coalition Sydney.

The Iranians reportedly suffered fractures to their wrists, jaws, and noses, and were denied painkillers, food, and medical treatment while kept in prison after the assault. Their wounds were reportedly festering, and one had found blood in his urine.

Ian Rintoul, a spokesman for Refugee Action Coalition Sydney, which campaigns for the rights of individuals applying for refugee status in Australia, however, said on Monday that, “The men were allowed to be outside the detention center and were not doing anything wrong,” Australian Associated Press reported.

Continued: http://www.albawaba.com/news/iranian-refugees-beaten-police-outside-australian-run-refugee-camp-921510