Refugee Writes Emotional Plea After Being Refused A Termination Following Her Rape

A Somalian refugee who claims she was raped while waiting on an island for entry into Australia, has denied she did not want an abortion – writing an emotional plea for counselling and medical assistance. The woman, known only as Abyan, was being held at an Australian immigration detention centre on Nauru island when she was reportedly raped. A handwritten letter by the woman denies that she refused an abortion as claimed by the Australian immigration minister, stating she “never saw a doctor” and had asked and been denied an interpreter during her medical consultation. Her letter, which is now being circulated by both her lawyer George Newhouse and human rights organisation Change.org reads: “I was raped on Nauru I have been very sick. I have never said that I did not want a termination. I never saw a doctor. I saw a nurse at a clinic but there was no counselling. “I saw a nurse at Villawood but there was no interpreter. I asked but was not allowed to talk with my lawyer. Please help me.” Minister for Immigration and border protection Peter Dutton has denied the claims, telling reporters that the 23-year old changed her mind about a termination and was offered an interpreter and counselling services on Nauru. According to The Guardian, Abyan is now 14 weeks pregnant. A Change.org petition with nearly 65,000 signatures is calling on Mr Dutton to provide Abyan with urgent medical assistance. H/T The Guardian