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

Ann , 2322  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:51:56 +1100
"Australia needs to step up and do what is right for this young woman. I find it offensive that a group of men have their heads stuck so far up each others arse as to no be able to feel anything for this woman and her plight. So much for all those Christian values that the libs throw around. Only when it suits you. Well this will not be going away until it is attended to"
Margaret , 2902  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:51:15 +1100
"It is unbelievable to me that an Australian government, having placed this young woman in danger, would refuse to assist her at this time. I am deeply ashamed at what is being done in my name."
Ian , 2324  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:48:47 +1100
Ellee , 4068  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:48:29 +1100
Robyn , 2037  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:47:07 +1100
Polly , 6726  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:46:28 +1100
Mary , 3241  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:45:52 +1100
"Only a man, and a profoundly unempathetic one at that, could be so heartless and pig-headed to ignore such an urgent request – Mr Dutton, you should immediately bring “Abyan” to Australia for all necessary medical treatments, and then grant her asylum in Australia given that she was raped whilst in an Australian-owned concentration camp/ “detention centre”."
Jennifer , 3669  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:42:39 +1100
"This issue is so very important no woman should have to bear a child that is unwanted. The sooner the abortion is carried out the safer it is the more you delay the more dangerous the position becomes. do something and do it now."
Alexander , M6C 1A3  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:42:19 +1100
Jessica , 2043  /  signed 2015-10-08 18:41:14 +1100
"It is unethical that people (children, women and men) are being held in detention in the first place. Now a woman had been raped, forcefully impregnated, violated, and forced to carry and birth the child of her rapist at our governments doing. If you think that by refusing her entry into the country and denying her basic human rights, that you are upholding some notion of political “consistency” then the whole policy in question obviously has some serious flaws. This is absolutely disgraceful behaviour, completely devoid of decorum and brings such shame on Australia. When did we fall down into this deep pit devoid of compassion, let alone moral decency?"
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