Thread: Nauru refugee says coming to Cambodia ‘a big mistake’

The Australian government has defended its handling of its A$55 million refugee deal with Cambodia after a Rohingya Muslim refugee who was transferred from Nauru under the agreement told Australian media that he is plagued by illness and fears he may die in the Kingdom, The Phnom Post reported.

Mohammed Rashid, 26, who reportedly suffers long-term kidney and lung problems, told Fairfax Media that he was admitted to hospital last week for a recommended 10 days but had been withdrawn by an International Organisation for Migration (IOM) official after only three days.

“I fear that I will die here. I don’t feel safe. It was a big mistake to come here,” he was quoted as saying.”

The news comes after last week’s blow to Australia’s scheme to outsource the resettlement of refugees who arrive by boat, when two Iranian refugees returned to their home country after living in Phnom Penh for less than nine months.

Rashid also said the Australian government had failed to fulfil a number of promises that were made to him in a bid to entice him to leave Nauru, where people seeking asylum in Australia are indefinitely detained.

A spokesperson for Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton defended the way Rashid had been treated in Cambodia. In a statement, the spokesperson said Rashid “continues to receive a very high level of support” from IOM, including face-to-face meetings each weekday.

The statement confirmed Rashid is currently receiving medical treatment and is eligible for health insurance for five years.

Nauru refugee says coming to Cambodia 'a big mistake' - Thai PBS English News

How come thousands of Farang live happy lives in Cambodia, but the lieing media have to dig out a sob refugee story to make Australia look bad.

...two Iranian refugees returned to their home country after living in Phnom Penh for less than nine months...

If your life was in danger back home, shouldn't you just be happy to live 'anywhere' safer, yes. Wait, Cambodia doesn't have very good social security benefits.

Originally Posted by misskit

The news comes after last week’s blow to Australia’s scheme to outsource the resettlement of refugees who arrive by boat, when two Iranian refugees returned to their home country after living in Phnom Penh for less than nine months.

I can't see how it's a blow to the scheme.
If they could return, in the sense that they had the readies and they obviously didn't fear being detained at immigration on their arrival then they weren't really refugees were they.
They should be used as an example of why Australia is so suspicious of these 'refugees'.

Long term kidney and lung problems and afraid he might die there ,did he expect to not die in Aus ? But he would not have had to pay for his care. Fuk him , should not have been let into the refugee deal at all.