“Abyan” Sheds Unwanted Light on Nauru

Refugees seeking admission to Australia may be detained on the very small South Pacific island of Nauru.

The Nauru Regional Processing Centre has a rocky history. It opened in 2001, closed in 2008, and reopened in 2012. Many have protested the conditions on the island.

But it’s the story of Abyan that’s currently focusing attention on Nauru. Abyan (not her real name) is a Somali refugee. She alleges that she was raped on Nauru and became pregnant. Unable to obtain an abortion on the island, she was flown to Australia for the procedure. But she was quickly returned, without receiving medical treatment.

Australia claims that Abyan changed her mind. Abyan denies this, writing “Please help me.”

The BBC has been covering the story well. Click here and here for more.

-KitJ