2 Nov 2018

Call for company running Nauru detention centre to ditch contract

12:20 pm on 2 November 2018

Australia's Human Rights Law Centre has called for the Queensland company running the refugee detention centre on Nauru to walk away from its contract.

The Nibok refugee settlement, Nauru.

The Nibok refugee settlement, Nauru. Photo: Pool / NZ Herald / Jason Oxenham

The company, Canstruct, is reported to have had its contract renewed this week by the Australian government for another six months.

The law centre's Keren Adams said Canstruct should immediately end its involvement in an intentionally abusive system.

Ms Adams said the detention centre continues to be the site of horrific and ongoing violations, including illegal detention, sexual assault and child abuse.

She said there is no ethical way the self-described family company Canstruct can continue to run the centre.

Canstruct was awarded the detention centre contract last year after the previous holder, Spanish company Ferrovial, chose not to renew the deal after being subjected to a campaign called No Business in Abuse launched by the advocacy group Getup!

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