Afghan refugee transferred from Manus for medical treatment dies in Brisbane

The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed an Afghan refugee has died by suicide at a Brisbane hotel.

Sayed Mirwais Rohani died by suicide on Tuesday.

Sayed Mirwais Rohani died by suicide on Tuesday. Source: Supplied by Danyal Syed

An Afghan refugee has died by suicide in Brisbane two years after he was transferred from Manus Island for medical treatment. 

Sayed Mirwais Rohani, 32, had been living in community detention for about a year when he died at a Brisbane hotel on Tuesday. 

The trained doctor had been transferred to Australia in 2017 after being held in detention on Manus Island for four years.
Australia rejected his attempts to reunite with his parents who are refugees living in Britain.

The Refugee Action Coalition said he is the seventh Manus Island refugee to die by suicide.

"The tragedy is a shocking tale of deliberate abuse and neglect," RAC spokesperson Ian Rintoul said. 

Mr Rohani, who completed a medical degree in China, had offered to volunteer at the Lorengau medical centre on Manus Island but was prevented from helping at the hospital.  

Mr Rintoul said the devastating effects of offshore detention would continue to be felt for years. 

"He's a very graphic and tragic example of the mental illness that has been created for the hundreds of people that (have been) on Manus Island," he said.
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The Home Affairs Department confirmed an individual who was living in community detention in Brisbane had died. 

"We extend our sympathies to the individual’s family. To ensure we respect their privacy, no further information will be released," a department spokesperson said in a statement. 

On Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said only four asylum seekers and refugees remained on Manus Island. 

Dozens have been moved to Port Moresby in recent months, with the Australian government-funded facilities set to close within weeks. 

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25). More information is available at and .


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2 min read
Published 17 October 2019 2:41pm
Updated 17 October 2019 6:46pm
By Rosemary Bolger


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