The Australian Jewish Democratic Society is deeply saddened by the news that Iranian asylum seeker Hamid Kehazaei, a detainee on Manus Island, currently (4th September 2014) lies brain dead in a Brisbane hospital as a result of an overwhelming infection which stemmed from a cut to his foot sustained in the Manus Island detention centre.
News reports indicate that Mr Kehazaei sought medical attention from the Manus Island detention centre staff, but appropriate treatment was not initiated until his condition had deteriorated beyond help.
In the normal course of our own lives, we seek medical advice when we need it. For Mr Kehazaei and other asylum seekers in detention, medical attention of any sort appears to be provided at the whim of our government who not only deliberately treats asylum seekers with a lack of dignity and humanity, but has failed in its duty of care to people it detains indefinitely.
This appalling policy of our government is in place for the purpose of deterring other people from seeking asylum in Australia. That we ignore the dignity and humanity of a group of people whose liberty we have deprived, directly contravenes the values we espouse as fundamental to our society in Australia. That we deliberately humiliate and damage one group of people for the purpose of sending a message to the rest of the world is immoral and unacceptable. 
AJDS Executive
05/09/2014

The Australian Jewish Democratic Society is deeply saddened by the news that Iranian asylum seeker Hamid Kehazaei, a detainee on Manus Island, currently (4th September 2014) lies brain dead in a Brisbane hospital as a result of an overwhelming infection which stemmed from a cut to his foot sustained in the Manus Island detention centre.
News reports indicate that Mr Kehazaei sought medical attention from the Manus Island detention centre staff, but appropriate treatment was not initiated until his condition had deteriorated beyond help.
In the normal course of our own lives, we seek medical advice when we need it. For Mr Kehazaei and other asylum seekers in detention, medical attention of any sort appears to be provided at the whim of our government who not only deliberately treats asylum seekers with a lack of dignity and humanity, but has failed in its duty of care to people it detains indefinitely.
This appalling policy of our government is in place for the purpose of deterring other people from seeking asylum in Australia. That we ignore the dignity and humanity of a group of people whose liberty we have deprived, directly contravenes the values we espouse as fundamental to our society in Australia. That we deliberately humiliate and damage one group of people for the purpose of sending a message to the rest of the world is immoral and unacceptable. 
AJDS Executive
05/09/2014