Detainees taken to hospital - Convergence action continues

(from karen X)

15 April 06 - A Chinese asylum seeker, transferred from Sydney's Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, has been hospitalised after swallowing razor blades. The former Villawood detainee who was transferred to Sydney's Holsworthy Army Barracks has been taken to hospital. DIMA has confirmed the incident.
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Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Mark Goudkamp said a male detainee at the Holsworthy Army Barracks had tried to commit suicide. Mr Goudkamp said the man had been complaining for several days of an eye condition, but was ignored by detention centre officials.

"It was after a second refusal for help this morning that he swallowed the razor blades, out of pure frustration," he said. "One of the Chinese detainees at Holsworthy has just attempted to commit suicide by swallowing razor blades," Mr Goudkamp said at Villawood in Sydney's west. "So it is clear that the mental illness inducing conditions that exist here (at Villawood) also exist out there (at Holsworthy)."

Two former Villawood detainees who were transferred to Sydney's Holsworthy Army Barracks have been taken to hospital. DIMA has confirmed the incident. A Liverpool Hospital spokeswoman says two people from Holsworthy have undergone treatment and are in a stable condition.

In another incident, the department says a small fire was discovered in a toilet where detainees are being held at Holsworthy, but it was quickly put out.

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Earlier today refugee advocates staged a second day of protest against the Federal Government's immigration policies outside Sydney's Villawood detention centre.

100 or so concerned citizens were watched by about an equal number of police at the centre, which is empty. Villawood was emptied out last week - apparently due to concerns about asbestos on the site. Others believe the asbestos fear is a ruse to thwart the protest actions.

The 260 detainees were forcibly removed to the high security of Baxter detention centre in SA, and Maribyrnong in Victoria, as well as the Holsworthy Army Barracks in Sydney and some jails.

Refugee Action Coalition's Alex Leszczynski said the protest, on Easter Saturday, one of Christianity's holiest days, was religiously symbolic. "For those Christians out there, they should realise it is against Christian values to lock people up who have committed absolutely no crime," Mr Leszczynski said.
"They should also realise that this government does not represent Christian Values. It is opposed to everything Christianity stands for - equality and love for all your fellow human beings."

The action was part of a weekend of protests which will take place in several states. About 80 activists gathered at Holsworthy on Friday, demanding access to the detainees held there.

A protest outside Kirribilli House, the prime minister's Sydney home, is planned for Sunday morning.