Refugee family to be freed after one year detained in Darwin hotel

A FAMILY of refugees who have been detained in a Darwin hotel just over a year after being flown in from Nauru for medical treatment are set to be released on bridging visas today.

A group of 15 refugees have been detained in a Darwin hotel for 12 months. A protest was organised to mark the one year anniversary at the Mecure Darwin Airport Hotel. Photograph: Che Chorley

• Year in detention in Darwin for 15 refugees, with no end in sight

A FAMILY of refugees who have been detained in a Darwin hotel just over a year after being flown in from Nauru for medical treatment are set to be released on bridging visas today.

The family are among the 15 people, from Iran and Sri Lanka, who have been detained at the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort since February 27, 2020.

A group of 15 refugees have been detained in a Darwin hotel for 12 months. A protest was organised to mark the one year anniversary at the Mecure Darwin Airport Hotel. Photograph: Che Chorley

The NT News understands at least one of the families are being released from the facility and being flown to Brisbane this afternoon.

They are understood to have been granted bridging visas.

The decision comes after protests organised by the Darwin Asylum Seeker Support and Advocacy Network have taken place outside the hotel every day for around the last month.

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The group were flown to Darwin from Nauru under since repealed medevac legislation, with next to no medical treatment completed so far.

The group interacted with protesters from the other side of the fence. Photograph: Che Chorley

The group was held in Nauru for eight years before being transferred to the Territory.

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