Thursday, November 25, 2004

Advocates warn of detention centre riot risk

A prominent refugee advocate warns South Australia's Baxter Detention Centre is on the brink of a major riot. A protest involving about 25 male detainees broke out at the centre on Tuesday, over a new system which is delaying the process of dispensing medication to detainees.

A male detainee is recovering at Baxter after attempting to give himself an electric shock on Monday, which is believed to be the second incident of self-harm at the centre in the past fortnight.

Justice for Refugees spokesman Don McMaster says tension at the centre is building, with many detainees fearing deportation.

"What Justice for Refugees is quite alarmed about is the high incidence of self-mutilation that's happening up there and also that high level of anxiety," he said.

"I think it's just creating a tension that's going to explode at some stage and I think the latest disturbances over the last week are maybe a build up of this."

Spokesman Don McMaster says he would not be surprised if there is a large-scale incident soon.

By Just Us 25 November 04

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Here is a new project
1. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent children?
2. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent women?
3. Do you believe it is right to imprison innocent people?