Detainees protest after inmate's death

The federal government has defended the planned deportation of a Fijian national who
apparently committed suicide just hours before he was due to be flown home.
The 36-year-old's death in Sydney's Villawood detention centre on Monday morning
sparked a rooftop protest by up to eight more asylum seekers who allegedly have had
their claims rejected by Australia.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the Fijian, who had arrived in Australia by
plane, had been living in the community while his refugee claim was processed.
"He was detained (in mid-August) for removal purposes once those processes were
completed," Mr Bowen said.
"His removal was part of normal compliance operations."
Immigration Department spokesman Sandi Logan was asked about allegations Villawood
staff had been warned that the Fijian was suicidal after being told recently he was
to be deported.
"We understand that there, certainly, is some history behind this client," Mr Logan
told reporters in Canberra.
"There is a history in the department ... of several instances of non-compliance
and, unfortunately, that's why this man was in detention.
"He was awaiting removal from Australia."
Mr Logan said he could not comment on reports that the man was about to blow the
whistle on a Fijian passport scam.
"(That) must remain confidential," he said.
Refugee advocate Sara Nathan told AAP seven Sri Lankan Tamils and one Afghan
detainee climbed onto the Villawood detention centre's roof following the Fijian's
death.
All have had their asylum claims rejected, Ms Nathan said.
"They are very fearful that they will be deported, and they have also clearly said
that rather than be deported they will take their lives," she said.
Ms Nathan said the detainees would only come down if the Immigration Department
assured them their cases would be reviewed.
Mr Logan said detainees protesting on centre roofs was not uncommon.
He said there were just five people on Villawood's roof on Monday afternoon, of
varying nationalities, and he was "reasonably confident" they would come down after
negotiations.
The department spokesman rejected any suggestion Villawood was now in "chaos".
"Some in the refugee activist and refugee advocacy community would will upon us,
unfortunately, the most appalling outcomes," he said.
"(But) we have very good control of all of our immigration detention centres."
Mr Logan's comments were, in part, directed at Refugee Action Coalition spokesman
Ian Rintoul, who claims the dead Fijian faced deportation along with a younger
relative believed to be his nephew.
"The suicide of a Fijian man facing deportation from the Villawood detention centre
this morning has thrown the detention centre into chaos," Mr Rintoul said.
"One report from inside the detention centre said the Fijian man's relative had been
handcuffed and taken away by police."
The Immigration Department refused to comment on reports the 36-year-old had been
declared a refugee by the United Nations.
"But, generally speaking, a UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
mandate as a refugee is taken into account in processing, but it's not necessarily a
foregone conclusion that a visa will be granted," a departmental spokesman said.
"We have to go through our own processes."
The man died at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre at about 10am (AEST) on
Monday.
Police are investigating.
*Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact
Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).