There had been multiple cases of protests and riots on Christmas Island. They are described as 'inevitable' due to the combination of asylum seekers hoping to be let into Australia and the '501s' resisting deportation. In 2011 a protest was held over the conditions and the length of time people were being held there. Over 250 detainees threw rocks at staff and set accommodation blocks on fire. It caused lots of damage and those involved were overcome using tear gas and bean bag bullets. In 2012 detainees went on a hunger strike with approximately 375 people participating. 7 people stitched their lips together as a plea for freedom and as a sign of solidarity for a fellow asylum seeker. In 2014 there was another disturbance after mothers started screaming and threatening to set fire to the construction camp. This followed a meeting with immigration officials over their concerns for their babies due to the living conditions. The women were arrested. After the arrests 7 people reportedly made threats and 4 committed self harm. 10 mothers were required to be under 24-hour surveillance by an officer after being placed on "guided supportive and monitoring engagement".
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The most recent riot occurred on November 9th in 2015. It followed the death of Fazel Chegeni, an Iranian asylum seeker who escaped the centre and was discovered dead at the base of a cliff. Several buildings were set alight and the riot lasted 2 nights. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection initially denied claims of any fire but later admitted to a fire that had minimal damage. The repair bill was $10 million. Police raided the centre with shields and weapons using teargas and rubber bullets to subdue those embroiled in the riot. Detainees involved were described as criminals facing deportation and were transferred to Perth and placed in a maximum security prison. Those detainees not involved in the riot were said to be placed in a 10m2 cage for over 30 hours with no access to showers, toilets and clean clothes. Their phones were confiscated allowing no contact with the 'outside world' for 3 days. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection says the detainees were accommodated overnight in temporary but secure parts of the centre. They said they were provided with food and medical services and those who required medication continued to receive care and treatment as per usual.
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