Asylum seeker dies on Nauru

The Department of Home Affairs confirms a death on Nauru following reports a 26-year-old asylum seeker was found dead.

An Iranian asylum seeker being held on Nauru has reportedly taken his own life. Picture: RENEE NOWYTARGER

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed a death on Nauru following reports from refugee advocates that a 26-year-old Iranian asylum seeker was found dead in his family’s tent in a suspected suicide.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre confirmed it had received reports of a suicide on Nauru, saying the individual was the “12th person to die under the Australian government’s offshore processing policy and the fifth on Nauru”.

The Refugee Action Coalition said that a man was found this morning in his family’s tent. It said the younger brother of the dead man had made a plea in April for his mother to be moved to Australia because she was depressed.

The Department of Home Affairs issued a short statement saying it was “aware of the death in Nauru today” but did not comment on how the individual died. It also referred further inquiries to “Nauruan authorities”.

Peter Dutton. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Ian Rintoul, spokesman for the Refugee Action Coalition, blamed Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton for the death. He also called for asylum seekers and refugees to be brought to Australia, warning they were “dying of despair”.

“Like the others, the death of this young man lies at the feet of Peter Dutton,” Mr Rintoul said.

“There have (been) so many warnings, but the toll mounts day by day; the neglect continues”.

“Peter Dutton must bring all the asylum seekers and refugees to Australia. The US deal is a farce that is now excluding Iranians, and Somalis”.

Mr Rintoul said the man who died was well known and well liked. He said the man did “everything he could for his brother and mother”.

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