An Iranian asylum seeker was denied access to psychiatric help, despite slashing himself several times inside South Australia's Baxter detention centre, the Federal Court in Adelaide has heard.The asylum seeker, known only as "M", was among a group of detainees who staged a 10-day protest on a roof at Baxter late last year.
"M" told the court he took part in the rooftop protest out of desperation after spending more than four years inside detention centres.
He says after the protest he was seen by a psychiatrist who prescribed new medication for his severe depression.
The psychiatrist also told him he may need shock treatment in hospital.
The medication failed but "M" says he has not seen the psychiatrist since.
Lawyers for "M" and another detainee want their clients to be taken out of Baxter and put into psychiatric care in Adelaide's Glenside Psychiatric Hospital.
They say the Commonwealth Government has failed to provide asylum seekers with a duty of care.
The case is continuing.
By Just Us 5 April 05
Ed: This story is indicative of the tactical difference of opinion; in that the person is first tortured then their only option out is to be locked up under threat of being electroshocked for the symptoms of their torture. This in itself is an act of extreme cruelty with permanent effects.
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