21 Apr 2011

Asylum seekers set fire to Australian detention centre

A roof-top protest by detainees led to a riot, with several buildings burned down at a Sydney detention centre.

Protestors on roof (R)

The riot at Villawood Detention Centre began late on Wednesday when two men climbed onto the roof to protest about their continuing detention. Up to a 100 people joined in, with protestors causing an explosion by setting fire to an oxgyen cylinder. Buildings destroyed by fire include a medical centre and dining hall. The fire has now been brought under control.

Immigration spokesman Sandi Logan said that police were still trying to talk a small group of protestors down from the roof. He told ABC News: “We’re certainly in the process of regaining control and as daylight comes, we’re in a much better situation to assess damage.” He said that at one point protestors were throwing roof tiles and pieces of furniture from the roof onto firefighters.

Australia has a policy of detaining of all people seeking asylum while their claim is processed. Around 400 people are normally held at Villawood. Last month there were days of riots at the remote detention centre on Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean. ABout 250 inmates set fire to accommodation tents and threw makeshift explosives at the police.

The Government has been criticised for the policy, which human rights groups and the United Nations have warned is often unneccessary and can lead to mental health problems, particularly where detention is indefinite.