Mouldy Nauru tents replaced ahead of Pacific Islands Forum in 'cover up': Refugee activists

Last minute efforts are underway on Nauru to get all families and children out of the mouldy tents of the camp's family compound before the Pacific Island Forum gets underway on 1 September.

Workmen dismantle the old tents on Nauru.

Workmen dismantle the old tents on Nauru. Source: Ian Rintoul

Last minute efforts are underway on Nauru to get all families and children out of mouldy tents before the Pacific Island Forum gets underway on September 1.

The Australian Border Force rejected requests from families to move out of the family compound, or R-P-C 3, as recently as this month.
Last minute efforts are underway on Nauru to get all families and children out of the mouldy tents of RPC.
Last minute efforts are underway on Nauru to get all families and children out of the mouldy tents of RPC. Source: Ian Rintoul
But, now families are being hurriedly moved to other settlement areas.

The tents have housed the families for five years.

Refugee Action Coalition spokesperson Ian Rintoul told SBS News the government was only making the move to protect its image.
Refugees on Nauru.
Refugees on Nauru. Source: AAP
"It's a good thing but, as I said, there is only one reason - they were demolishing those moldy tents so the photos that have made Nauru famous internationally for the abuse that has been heaped on children and families there, are not going to be available for the international media to see when they get there in the first week of September," he said.
"The Australian and Nauru governments are going to extraordinary efforts to cover up the abuse of refugees and asylum seekers on Nauru.

"Demolishing the tents and providing new cars to drive around in, wont hide the reality of the abuse that Nauru is now internationally identified with."


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