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‘Semi-catatonic children’ among victims of Australia’s offshore detention policy: UNHCR

‘Semi-catatonic children’ among victims of Australia’s offshore detention policy: UNHCR

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A “pervasive sense of helplessness and hopelessness” exists among those held in Australia’s offshore processing centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea, which has worsened in recent months, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned on Friday.

In an appeal to the Australian Government to evacuate the more than 1,400 asylum-seekers and migrants there, UNHCR spokesperson Catherine Stubberfield told UN News that some children have become “semi-catatonic” and need urgent help.

Audio Credit
Daniel Johnson, UN News - Geneva
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4'49"
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UN Geneva/Daniel Johnson