Dozens of asylum seekers who were transferred to Australia for medical treatment will be released after being detained inside a Melbourne hotel.
Refugee advocates say some 30 men could be released from detention on Thursday, after 26 asylum seekers were released from detention on Wednesday afternoon.
The released men, who had been brought to Australia under the now-repealed medevac legislation from detention centres on Manus Island and Nauru, had been detained in various hotels for more than a year.
Several buses were seen on Thursday morning outside the Park Hotel in Melbourne’s Carlton where the men are being held.
The Park Hotel was the designated “alternate place of detention” for around 60 medically unwell asylum seekers.
It’s believed the men will be transferred to the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation facility before being processed and released into the community on bridging visas.
It comes after 26 men were granted bridging visas and released into the community on Wednesday.
Ian Rintoul from the Refugee Action Coalition said the release of the men signalled a “breakthrough” in Australia’s immigration detention policy.
He said the unexpected release of the men may be due to several legal cases currently before the courts.
“We have the legal cases that brought about the releases last year. Most of the people being released have got Federal Court cases launched,” he said.
He said another factor may be the ongoing protests that have been taking place around the Park Hotel.
Mr Rintoul said he expected more medevac detainees to be released into the community in the coming weeks.
Mostafa Azimitabar, a asylum seeker and musician, confirmed that he was among those being released on Thursday after spending 2,737 days – or more than seven years – detained in various locations.
“I believe the power of the people can crumble the walls of oppression and my freedom today is proof,” he wrote.
He vowed to continue fighting for the 14 men left behind in the Park Hotel and for other refugees and asylum seekers in detention around Australia.
“If I am able to obtain my freedom, there should be the opportunity for the others seeking asylum to have their freedom as well. Until all of us are free, none of us are truly free,” he said.
Paul Power, Refugee Council of Australia chief executive, said the move to release the detained men was significant and hoped more would be released soon.
“We are certainly calling on the government to release all of the men who were brought to Australia for medical treatment immediately,” he told SBS News.
SBS News has sent questions to the Department of Home Affairs seeking clarification on the number of men being released and the reasons why they are being released now.
Home Affairs did not address the questions, but said nobody “who attempts illegal maritime travel” to Australia would be settled permanently in the country.
“The individuals residing in the alternative places of detention were brought to Australia temporarily for medical treatment. They are encouraged to finalise their medical treatment so they can continue on their resettlement pathway to the United States, return to Nauru or PNG or return to their home country,” a spokesperson said.
“A final departure bridging visa allows individuals to temporarily reside in the Australian community while they finalise their arrangements to leave Australia.”
