“Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre is appropriately staffed for the detainees at the facility”, it added.
Advertisement
Australian police have retaken control of an offshore detention camp holding asylum seekers after clashing with prisoners protesting the death of a Kurdish refugee who attempted to escape.
The group leading the unrest appeared to be detainees being held there because their visas were cancelled, rather than asylum-seekers, the department said.
It is hard to verify information about what happens on Christmas Island as the media are generally barred from reporting there.
Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told parliament that the unrest began around 11pm local time Sunday following the death of an inmate who had escaped on Saturday.
The transfers come after the Immigration Minister rejected claims New Zealanders convicted of minor crimes like shoplifting and traffic offences were being held on Christmas Island.
The detention center houses 203 asylum seekers and non-Australian criminals, who have been moved to the island to be processed for deportation.
He said no police officers were injured.
On hearing of his death, a small number of detainees reportedly set fires, smashed windows and set up barricades.
Police used tear gas and bean-bag rounds – created to deliver an immobilizing but not lethal blow – to subdue rioters.
Christmas Island Shire president Gordon Thomson stated Mr Chegeni Najad died from injuries sustained when he fell into a pit as he ran through the dark after jumping the centre fence. “I’ve explained that to my counterparts in New Zealand and we have made it very clear to the detainees as well”, he said.
Mr Dutton said security arrangements at the centre would be reviewed, with additional funding provided to boost security.
But the department said the majority of detainees cooperated with service providers in restoring control.
Opposition immigration spokesman Richard Marles called on the Government to detail what measures were in place to ensure the safety of detainees and staff.
Advertisement
“If people have caused damage to Commonwealth property, they will be investigated and prosecuted in relation to those matters”, Dutton told parliament.
