The Australian government has agreed to pay detainees on Manus Island more than $70 million (US$52.75 million) in the "largest settlement in a human rights class-action" in the country's history.

More than 1,900 detainees had alleged they suffered serious physical and psychological injuries during their time in the Australian government's offshore asylum seeker detention center on the Papua New Guinea island, between 2012 and 2016.

Australian law firm Slater and Gordon, who represented the plaintiffs, confirmed Wednesday a deal had been struck with the government, although it had yet to be approved by the court.

Majid Kamasaee, a 35-year-old Iranian detainee, who was held on the center for 11 months after fleeing Iran, was the lead plaintiff in the case.

"I came to Australia seeking peace but I was sent to Manus which was hell," Kamasaee said in a statement after the announcement.

"I was in pain every minute of every day and I cried every night until I had nothing left."
Australia has long been criticized for its offshore detention centers, including the one on Manus, where it has held thousands of asylum seekers and refugees since 2012 who have attempted to reach its shores.

Claims of psychological trauma, physical illness, self harm attempts and even violent attacks have been regularly reported at the camps since they were opened. At least three people have died.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Australia Immigration Minister's office said they "strongly refuted" the detainee's claims and the settlement was not an admission of liability.

The Australian government announced in August 2016 it would close the Manus Island center, although there has been no update on when exactly it might happen.

As of April, 821 men were still detained by Australia on Manus Island. Almost a quarter of all those held by Australia have been in detention for more than two years.

thank you Kevin bloody Rudd..

cods wrote on Jun 14^th, 2017 at 2:45pm:


at what point exactly do the libs become responsible for that they do?

Great way to incentivize a tsunami of human sewerage.

Bobby. wrote on Jun 14^th, 2017 at 6:52pm:


That's just the start. It doesn't compensate for kidnapping on the high seas, years of detention, and mental cruelty.

The Australian taxpayer has deep pockets. More should be paid.

I wonder what the total cost is of this policy and the Manus fiasco.

$70M/1900 =  $36,842 for each victim.



That's a nice payout from the generous taxpayer.