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Mother of alleged Nauru gang-rape victim attempts suicide

An Iranian asylum seeker has tried to kill herself after being told she cannot see her daughter who was allegedly gang-raped on Nauru.

The mother, Farrah, has been placed in isolation under 24-hour watch since making her fourth suicide attempt on Saturday, the Guardian reports.

Her daughter Nazanin, was allegedly gang raped by up to three men on Nauru in May.


The 23-year-old went missing on the tiny island for around three hours on May 19.

When she was found at 9pm, she was naked, disorientated and badly beaten. She told local police she had been attacked and raped, but no one has been charged.

Nazanin attempted suicide after the attack, refused to eat or drink and went into organ failure. She was finally moved to a Brisbane hospital in August, after managers were warned she would die if she wasn’t moved.

At the time her mother Farrah and her brother Omid, 20, were told they would be able to join her in Australia.

However the pair has now been told they must stay on Nauru.

“When they took her they said we would go the next day, but then they say no. Now it has been five weeks we are separated and my mother is mentally very unwell,” Omid told the Guardian on Wedneday.

“My mother does not change her clothes, and she cries all the time. She tries to harm herself.”

He said when they were able to have short conversations with Nazanin every second day, she just screamed and cried.

“My mother is in desperation. She wants to be close to support her daughter, who is very sick. She just wants to help her get better.

Farrah’s suicide attempt has led to increased scrutiny on the safety of asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru.

Two Somali women have reported being raped on the island in recent months.



One, aged 23, who is about 11 weeks pregnant as a result of the alleged rape, has pleaded with the Australian government for safe passage to Australia where she can legally have an abortion.

The request has, so far, been denied, despite appeals to the government from health professionals, lawyers and opposition leader Bill Shorten.

The Nauru government issued a defensive statement in response to the claims on Wednesday.

"The government of Nauru says refugees in the country are in no physical danger and stories of locals attacking them are largely fabricated to further political agendas and influence the Australian government,” it read.

If you or someone you know needs help, don't suffer in silence, call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 or visit the website www.lifeline.org.au.

Morning news break – October 8