Saturday October 10, 2015
Immigration minister Peter Dutton has hinted the government may help a Somali refugee and alleged Nauru rape victim receive medical treatment in Australia.The refugee, ‘Abyan’ is seeking an abortion after she was allegedly sexually assaulted on Nauru where terminations are illegal.
The 23-year-old is reportedly about 11 weeks pregnant and her case, which lawyers are working on, has gained public traction with an online petition boasting some 55,000 signatures.Nauru rape victims plead with federal government for abortion aid
Mr Dutton has said such public appeals were of no help to her case and stressed any refugee flown here for treatment would not be granted permanent settlement based on strict border laws.
"If people require medical assistance...whether it is on Nauru or in Australia, they will receive it,” Mr Dutton said.
It is understood the woman is currently unfit to travel. Her representation this week said she had lost 10 kilograms through the traumatic ordeal.
Politicians have been reluctant to talk about individual cases but Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at a media conference in Sydney has said “her needs are very well understood by the government”
‘Abyan’s’ lawyers set a Tuesday 5pm deadline for government to respond to its demand, which lapsed.
Mr Dutton, generally speaking, said there is a precedent where additional medical issues have prevented refugees from flying for treatment.
"When the doctors advise us they can, they will then travel," he said.
"No amount of campaigns, calls to my office, petitions, anything else will change my position in relation to that," the minister said.