New Zealand begged to intervene

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – New Zealand should bypass Australia and negotiate the resettlement of Manus Island refugees with the PNG government, a sick asylum seeker says.

Farhad Rahmati – Who is still officially an asylum seeker – was told by doctors in Port Moresby the treatment he needs for his heart condition is not available in PNG.

He said more deaths in Australian offshore detention on Manus and Nauru could be prevented by New Zealand intervention.

“I’m begging New Zealand government to please come to our assistance.

“There are so many of us, not just me with my heart condition, who are getting ill, in many cases with mental health issues which after five years being detained is not surprising,” Rahmati said.

The court ordered evacuation of a suicidal child from Nauru last week should compel New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern to act, he said.

“A ten-year-old boy who was trying to commit suicide. It’s completely unacceptable. So I’m begging you if you care about humanity, which I believe you are, just bypass Australia and directly deal with PNG government and rescue us.”

The 39-year-old said the Australian government’s recent suggestion it could grant asylum to white South African farmers was a body blow for those it detained offshore.

“Six people have died on Manus. People have died on Nauru. This week we saw on the news about Australian government looking into white African farmers being allowed to immigrate to Australia.

“This break our hearts. So what about us? What about us?”

Last year, a doctor in Port Moresby said Rahmati’s heart needed testing not available in PNG. In February, a cardiologist recommended he be fitted with an implantable loop recorder, a procedure also not available in PNG.

The civil engineer who once managed large construction projects said he was terrified by the thought of being returned to Manus from Port Moresby.

“If I had another heart attack on Manus I would likely not survive. There is not any facilities on Manus for a heart patient.

“The medical clinic in Manus is really basic. So every day I’m petrified that I could have another heart attack and die.”

Denied refugee status, Rahmati was given a Positive Deportation Risk Assessment by the PNG government, meaning he would not be allowed to stay but would not be returned to the dangers he fled.

Lost in this legal limbo, the asylum seeker said he is was not being be considered for resettlement in the United States.

“It’s so confusing. The letter, it says that Australia and PNG are not going to change their policy. Fair enough. When I asked them verbally they said you are not eligible for third country. Then can someone tell me, where am I to go?”

- RNZI