New statistics reveal a dramatic rise in critical incidents over that past year at Australia’s immigration detention centres.
So far this year, 1,300 critical incidents have been reported, which is already nearly four times higher than in the previous year.
A critical incident involves a serious injury, a threat to life or a critical breach of security.
A representative of the Australian Immigration Office says the rise in critical incidents is due to the increasing number of refugee boats arriving over the past two years, which has created pressure on the detention centres.
Reports indicate that more than 10,000 asylum seekers have landed in Australia on such boats since 2009.
Australia arrests asylum seekers when they arrive by boat, and they’re held until immigration authorities process their application.
Many asylum seekers have fallen victim to various psychological illnesses, and some reports indicate they have been subjected to violence.
