Nauru

Good news: Immigration Minister Dutton: It's the least you could do

Campaign Update: Abyan has arrived in Australia for medical treatment and has thanked the Australians who rallied to ensure she was brought to the mainland for her termination procedure. 

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A 23 year-old refugee woman who has allegedly been raped on Nauru, and who is now pregnant as a result, is pleading with the Prime Minister to be allowed to come to Australia to have an abortion. But the government isn't responding to her request.1

The woman - being referred to as "Abyan" - is 11 weeks pregnant. Advocates say they have been appealing to the government to act since last week, but have had no response, and that "time is quickly running out... a traumatised and vulnerable woman's health and safety is at stake." 

We know consistent community campaigning has forced the government to act in situations like this before. Can you join the campaign calling on Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to urgently address this appalling situation - and help make the call for action so loud the government can't ignore it?

More information

The United Nations say it's actually illegal to have a termination on Nauru. Further, the hospital facilities and medical practitioners are not equipped to perform such a termination on the island.2

Horrifically, there's a precedent around this issue. Earlier this year a 23-year-old Iranian woman who was allegedly raped on Nauru was flown to Australia for medical treatment -- but it took authorities three weeks and imminent organ failure to transport her.3 We can't let this happen again. Abyan needs urgent access to medical and trauma support services.  

There is an epidemic of sexual violence on Nauru – with weekly reports of catastrophic sexual assaults of refugee women.4

Just weeks ago, Prime Minister Turnbull called violence against women is one of the great shames of Australia. He’s right. And part of that shame is the violence being perpetuated against refugee women on Nauru. Acting to ensure Abyan receives the urgent medical services and trauma support she needs would be a very small step in the right direction. 

More information

1. Refugee raped on Nauru begs Malcolm Turnbull to let her come to Australia for an abortion, The Age, 6 October 2015.

2. Shorten demands Government help alleged Nauru rape victim seeking abortion, ABC News, 8 October 2015.

3. Family of Iranian woman raped on Nauru at breaking point, say refugee advocates, ABC News, 5 October 2015.

4. When will the Turnbull government act on the sexual violence epidemic on Nauru? Daily Life, 7 October 2015.

4,153 SIGNATURES SO FAR

The Hon. Peter Dutton, MP,

We call on you to urgently act to ensure the woman known as Abyan is brought to Australia for appropriate medical treatment and trauma support.

Signed,

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Latest activity

Helen , 3218  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:30:42 +1100
"No-should have to go what she is going through, especially under the ‘protection’ of the Australian government"
Stevie , 3218  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:30:40 +1100
Christopher Stuart , 4157  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:30:37 +1100
John , 6707  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:30:35 +1100
"Our Government needs to show compassionate support to this woman who is in this position through no fault of her own."
Judyth , 6157  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:30:31 +1100
"‘Abyan’ needs this procedure before the week is out. Its hypocritical to claim we won’t stand for violence against women and not extend to everyone in Australian funded care."
Aven , 3011  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:30:30 +1100
"It is disgraceful Minister Dutton can think to deny Abyan her human rights! The young woman was raped. Rape is part of the terrifying culture on Manus and Naru . This government is only pretending about domestic violence when they allow Rape and torture under their watch. Minister Dutton must understand this is an urgent matter, there is no more time to play politics at the expense of Abyan’s human rights."
Audrey , 4152  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:30:23 +1100
"If Abyan has been raped, not only should she be allowed to have the abortion in Australia, as requested, her alleged rapist/s should be taken into custody and prosecuted, if found guilty."
Evan , 3054  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:30:18 +1100
Catherine , 4700  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:29:57 +1100
"After such a traumatic experience, this women needs to be allowed an abortion. It is her body, her life, her decision."
Anne , 5049  /  signed 2015-10-07 15:29:46 +1100
"I think its past time our Government treated asylum seekers with humanity, compassion and decency. Shame on you all and be assured you are not acting in my name."
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