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,

* required fields

Latest activity

Zsolt , 2210  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:45:35 +1100
"Dear Mr Dutton,
Please consider this poor woman’s request on compassionate and humanitarian grounds. Imagine her anguish and feeling of abandonment. I appeal to your kindness. Kind regards, Zsolt"
Barbara , 3805  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:45:19 +1100
John , 3910  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:45:11 +1100
"Because our treatment of refugees makes me ashamed to be an Australian."
myles , E17 6HF  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:44:51 +1100
"What we are doing to people on offshore processing centres is morally wrong and as an Australian in London it is actions like this, where we have suppressed any traces of our common humanity, that lead people where I am to have it in mind that Australia is a racist country."
Lani , 2263  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:44:36 +1100
"This young woman as a result of rape has become pregnant totally against her will and through no fault of her own. She has every right to be allowed to come to Australia to have an abortion. It is utterly and unnadulteratedly inhumane of the Prime Minister/ government to not respond swiftly to her request and allow her to come to Australia for her own safety and health not to mention her life already being ruined by this violence."
Yenda , 2015  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:44:35 +1100
"Australia is the lucky country and we are destroying our international reputation and our country’s integrity by refusing help to the most vulnerable. We have placed this woman in a situation where the worst violence has been perpetuated upon her and are now refusing her medical assistance. Its wrong. Its wrong on so many levels. And its easy to fix."
Megan , 2016  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:44:32 +1100
"Minister Dutton, you have a clear duty of care here. The woman in question has a right to medical treatment and to exercise choice in her reproductive health. You have an opportunity to do the right thing, meet your obligations under international law and be a responsible and compassionate minister. We’re waiting to see what you will do."
carol , 2261  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:44:19 +1100
"women worldwide deserve protection from rape and the consequences resulting from this act of violence no matter who they are and from where , this an absolute basic human right , to with hold care and treatment is further abuse ."
Merrilyn , 6330  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:44:06 +1100
Linda , 4075  /  signed 2015-10-07 19:44:02 +1100
"It is our responsibility because this woman has been raped in a situation created by Australia. Her health is our concern."
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