Fed: Tear gas used to quell protesters at refugee camps

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2000
Fed: Tear gas used to quell protesters at refugee camps

CANBERRA, Aug 28 AAP - Rioting asylum seekers have been sprayed with tear gas after
stoning staff at the Woomera detention centre.

The protesters also set fire to buildings this morning.

Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said there were a number of incidents at Woomera,
in South Australia, over the weekend, particularly late on Saturday evening.

"One cannister of tear gas was used to quell a group of people who were intent on stoning
buildings, throwing rocks and implements at the staff of the centre," Mr Ruddock told
reporters.

"This morning at 5.54 South Australian time, some 70 to 80 detainees set fire to two
recreational buildings, the dining room and an ablution block."

Mr Ruddock said the fences at the detention centre had been breached and the refugees
were using pickets from the fences as weapons.

"They have been stoning the administration building, quite serious damage has been occasioned."

People in detention centres across the country protested over their situation over
the weekend, some quietly and some violently.

Mr Ruddock said the people detained in centres in New South Wales, Victoria and Perth
conducted protests while those refugees at the Curtin detention centre in Western Australia
elected not to join in.

"At Port Hedland I think there was some chanting," he told journalists.

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KEYWORD: BOAT WOOMERA

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