"The policy that was introduced in 2013, to expel people -- the 'Fortress Australia' policy that they (the government) put in place -- that has to go," rally organiser Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition told Sydney protestors. "So we fight to close the detention centres on Manus and Nauru, but we fight in that process to bring them here." Hundreds marched through Sydney shouting, "Free, free the refugees", with banners stating, "Five years too long, evacuate Manus and Nauru". This was the fifth death on Nauru since Australia's offshore detention ramped up in July 2013, rights groups say, while seven have died on Manus during the same period. But they say some 1,600 people remain on Nauru and Manus.

Source: The Nation Bangkok July 21, 2018 07:52 UTC