Worldwide protests planned over Manus Island detention centre
An image supplied by the Refugee Action Collective purports to show unrest at Manus Island's Delta compound. (Refugee Action Collective) Refugee Action Collective
An international group of refugee activists are planning worldwide protests over the treatment of asylum seekers in Manus Island, just days after Prime Minister Tony Abbott defended his government's record on mandatory detention.
The group, Australians and Allies Overseas Against Mandatory Detention, has already staged protests across the US, Europe and South America.
Further rallies, organised through social media under the hashtag #ShutDownManus, are planned for locations including The Hague, Hong Kong, Paris and Edinburgh.
The group's New York organiser, Alex Kelly, said Australia had an obligation to welcome asylum seekers.
"We are sending a message to the Abbott government that we are opposed to mandatory detention, and to let detainees know that there are many Australians and people around the world who support their struggle.”
Australia's treatment of refugees in recent years has come under worldwide scrutiny, and the Australian Human Rights Commission released a report blasting current and past governments for keeping children in detention.
The commission's report found that keeping children in mandatory detention for prolonged periods caused mental and physical illness.
Mr Abbott has blasted the report, dubbing it a "transparent stitch-up".
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
