Police attack refugees protesting for freedom

RAC says refugees are tired of being “treated like slaves.” | Photo: Refugee Action Coalition

Hundreds of refugees protested on the island nation of Nauru Friday to demand Australia end its hardline offshore processing policy.

“We want freedom!” protesters chanted in footage uploaded online by Australia's Refugee Action Coalition (RAC).

In the footage, protesters can be seen surrounded by police. Ahead of the event, Nauruan authorities warned they would increase police and private security presence on the streets, particularly around government buildings and key infrastructure.

RAC spokesperson Ian Rintoul said the protesting refugees are tired of being “treated like slaves” by Nauruan and Australian authorities, according to SBS News.

Hundreds of refugees have been released since mid-2014 from Australia's offshore detention center on the island nation into Nauruan society. However, in the island nation with a population of just over 9,000, there have been reports of refugees suffering discrimination.

However, in a letter circulated ahead of the protest, refugees pleaded for sympathetic Nauruans to support their protest against collaboration between Nauru's government and Australia.

“The refugees demand the locals ask their government to stop the cruelty against the refugees and say no (to) unfair, cruel refugee deals,” the letter said.

Friday's protest was marred by clashes which left at least 12 refugees injured, according to a refugee group on social media. The refugees blamed the violence on “Nauruan police and local community” opposed to the protest.

“The Nauruan police told the refugees to stop protesting, however after they refused and continued the peaceful protest they were attacked. As violence broke out, the Nauruan police and locals began pushing and punching the refugees. One male refugee was punched in the face by a Nauruan police officer wearing hard knuckle gloves and then later dragged away by another police officer,” the refugees stated.

The statement was accompanied by footage of what appeared to be a protester that had suffered injuries to the face.

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