Call for Canstruct Not to Evict Distressed Family on Nauru

Refugee Advocates Call for Canstruct Not to Evict Distressed Family on Nauru

Canstruct, the Australian company contracted to provide services to refugees on Nauru has told a distressed Nepalese family that they will return this afternoon (Tuesday) to forcibly remove the family from the medical centre in RPC 1.

The family was placed in RPC 1, on doctors’ orders, in early December for treatment, care and observation of their 14 year-old mentally ill daughter.

Despite experiments with changes in medication, there has been no improvement in their daughter’s condition. Yet, Canstruct now say the family must return to the tents of the detention centre in RPC 3.

The daughter has a history of attempted suicide in RPC 3, and will be at serious risk again. There is no proper supervision available in RPC 3.

Refugee advocates are calling on Canstruct not to evict the family from RPC 1. Canstruct took over the contract previously run by Connect. But since the contract is now with the Nauru government, it’s duty of care to asylum seekers and refugees on the island has been under a cloud.

“The family is already extremely stressed,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “They need help not threats of eviction.

“We are calling on Canstruct to support the family and stop threatening them. The stress of coping with their daughter for almost two years has taken a severe toll on the family.

“The supervision in the medical facilities in RPC 1 has given the family a small respite. Snatching that away now will leave the daughter and the family extremely vulnerable.”

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