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

Jasmine , 4113  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:16:00 +1100
Karen , 3875  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:15:49 +1100
Anne , 3824  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:15:49 +1100
"It is a crime which should never have happened , we need to make Peter Dutton answerable for allowing this to have occurred and the criminals should be imprisioned"
Dorothy , 3032  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:15:48 +1100
Debbie , 4020  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:15:16 +1100
"It is absolutely shocking that vulnerable women should be exposed to brutal rapes, and that the Australian government has allowed this to happen by not supervising the Nauru detention centre. These people are under our care, we should care for them.
No woman, ever, should have to put up with this treatment. These women were leaving war and torturous situations in fear of their lives, they came to Australia to seek refuge, not to be terrorised by sexual violence. This is a gret shame to our country."
Margaret , 3070  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:15:10 +1100
"No human being should undergo what people are enduring on Nauru. This is a shocking example."
Alex , 2779  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:14:48 +1100
Karen , 2218  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:14:38 +1100
"As a woman and a Fellow of RANZCOG, I urge you to show courage and compassion to this woman and all detainees on Nauru.
“Abyan” must be allowed to come to Australia urgently to receive the medical and psychological treatment she needs."
Lisa , 2784  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:14:37 +1100
"Dear Minister,
I invite you to imagine yourself in Abyan’s position – you are a woman in detention and at the mercy of the Australian Government – you have been gang raped, and are now bearing the child of one of these attackers. What would you do? What support would you be hoping for from the Australian Immigration Minister?"
Julie , 4066  /  signed 2015-10-07 18:14:24 +1100
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