Russell Crowe has slammed the unfolding humanitarian crisis on Manus Island as “fucking disgraceful” and “a nation’s shame”.
He tweeted: “Manus. A nation’s shame. Lives held in limbo. Lives lived in fear and despair. It’s a fucking disgrace.”
His comments come after the remaining 606 refugees at the Manus Island detention centre survived a sleepless night without food, water, power or medicine.
They are refusing to leave the centre out of fear for their safety, with refugee advocates saying the alternate facilities are not ready.
When a person challenged Crowe on Twitter to house the refugees himself if he was so worries, Rusty replied: “I’ve thought about this. I believe I could house and find jobs for six. I’m sure there’d be other Australians who would do the same.”
Manus. A Nations shame. Lives held in limbo . Lives lived in fear & despair . It’s fucking disgraceful
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 1, 2017
I’ve thought about this . I believe I could house and find jobs for 6. I’m sure there’d be other Australians who would do the same
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 1, 2017
The situation on Manus has been described as “a place of absolute horror”, according to refugee advocate Kon Karapanagiotidis.
“Desperate men, hungry, scared and fighting for their lives.”
The #refugee I spoke to last night on #Manus described a place of absolute horror. Desperate men, hungry, scared & fighting for their lives
— Kon Karapanagiotidis (@Kon__K) November 1, 2017
One of the refugees, Behrouz Boochani, tweeted that they’re “like refugees from war.”
“We’re not on hunger strike. There’s no food, medical treatment, water. The refugees are digging into the ground to find water. It’s a tropical area and people think they will reach fresh water.”
Red Cross & MSF should take action. We’re not on hunger strike. There’s no food, medical treatment, water. We’re like refugees from war.
— Behrouz Boochani (@BehrouzBoochani) November 1, 2017
The refugees are digging into the ground to find water. It’s a tropical area and people think they will reach fresh water.
— Behrouz Boochani (@BehrouzBoochani) November 1, 2017
Turn off water no worry
Some of us know where to get more.
Water came from well before tap, Australia .#Manus
https://t.co/F4EaIQz2Q3 pic.twitter.com/mankgAGAx0— 🖤💛❤️ Lynne Murphy (@lynnemurphy1) November 1, 2017
Advocates are urging Australians to call Peter Dutton, Malcolm Turnbull, and/or their local representative to express their concern over the treatment of refugees on Manus Island. A public document with everything you need to know how to do that has been made available here.
