Fears are growing for the health of a 23-year-old Iranian asylum seeker on Nauru who has been flown to Australia for medical treatment.
Nazinan was allegedly raped in May while on day release in the community from the detention centre. Her physical and mental health have deteriorated badly since the attack: her family says she has not been eating or drinking for the past few weeks and has attempted suicide.
Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, said, “Since the assault in May, the immigration department has done everything to cover up the attack. The family was told that Nazinan would be brought to Australia as other sexual assault victims on Nauru have been.
“But a week ago, the officials changed their minds. Immigration and International Health and Medical Services [IHMS] officials sent from Canberra told the family that they would not be taken to Australia but would be sent back to the family detention camp on Nauru.
After falling unconscious on August 14, Nazinan was admitted to the Nauru hospital and rehydrated.
On August 17, doctors told her family that the high potassium levels in her blood indicate kidney failure and she was at risk of permanent kidney damage. On August 18, doctors again told the family that Nazinan’s kidneys were failing and have warned that she may require a kidney transplant.
The immigration department said she was flown to Australia from the Pacific island by air ambulance on August 20.
“Given advice from our medical providers ... we've agreed that she should be transferred to Australia for medical care,” department secretary Michael Pezzullo said.
“The individual has been receiving appropriate medical and mental health support on Nauru.”
The department said it received a transfer request from IHMS on the afternoon of August 19 and approved it that evening.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has been calling for the woman's transfer and said it should have happened immediately after the alleged rape.
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