Refugees remaining on Manus Island and Nauru are filing two class action lawsuits today, alleging torture, crimes against humanity and the intentional infliction of harm by Australia’s offshore detention centres.
Lawyers from the National Justice Project claim asylum seekers are deprived of civil liberties, denied proper medical assessment and treatment and given inadequate food and water, amongst other points.
The legal team seek injunctions from the High Court to stop the government’s breaches of duty of care and to seek damages for affected asylum seekers.