20 Mar 2014

More self-harm by asylum seekers at Manus after visit

9:08 am on 20 March 2014

Two Iranian asylum seekers being held on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island have reportedly attempted suicide after reading comments by the PNG government lawyer, Ian Molloy.

Mr Molloy was part of a court-appointed party accompanying Justice David Cannings in inspecting the detention centre facilities.

Yesterday's inspection trip is part of the PNG National Court enquiry into the Manus Island detention camp and the attacks on asylum seekers on 17 February.

Mr Molloy was quoted as saying that 'the asylum seekers appeared clean, clothed and healthy.'

Today, two asylum seekers at the Manus facility reportedly went to a washroom and self harmed.

This follows another attempted suicide by an asylum seeker who returned from "quarantine".

Ian Rintoul of the Refugee Action Coalition says attempted suicides indicate the despair that surrounds the Manus camp.

He described Ian Molloy's as politically motivated comments which will only deepen the suspicion and frustration of the asylum seekers.