Dr John Brayley had said he would investigate mental health of Iranian Hamed Shamshiripour, who was found dead near the Australian-run transit centre

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Australian Border Force’s chief medical officer Dr John Brayley was personally told about Hamed Shamshiripour’s deteriorating mental health more than a year ago, and said he would review his care and records.

Shamshiripour, an asylum seeker from Iran, was found dead on Manus Island on Monday morning, in forest near to the refugee transit centre where he was being held.

For more than a year, refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island, advocates in Australia, and mental health professionals working within the detention centre, repeatedly raised concerns about Shamshiripour’s deteriorating mental health, chaotic behaviour and psychotic episodes.

Manus Island asylum seeker's friends begged Australia for help before his death Read more

The Papua New Guinea police commissioner, Gary Baki, told reporters Shamshiripour committed suicide, but refugees on Manus Island have called for an autopsy to determine his cause of death, alleging Shamshiripour had regularly clashed with members of the public and may have been attacked.

Police established a crime scene near the East Lorengau school where Shamshiripour’s body was found.

Shamshiripour’s “chaotic presentation”, “erratic and unpredictable behaviour” and “unstable state” were the subject of repeated entreaties from health professionals during his time on Manus.

Brayley, the doctor charged with overseeing the health of all people held in immigration detention, was personally informed in August 2016 that Shamshiripour’s health was declining precipitously and he was in danger of serious harm.

In a letter Brayley wrote and signed on 26 August 2016, he said he had been alerted to concerns over Shamshiripour’s mental health management and had requested his file.

Email correspondence from Brayley’s executive assistant said Shamshiripour’s case was being “actively monitored” by Brayley personally.



Brayley was again personally told – by email to his individual account – of Shamshiripour’s declining health in December.

Brayley declined an interview with the Guardian on Tuesday. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection did not respond to a series of questions from the Guardian about what actions were taken by Brayley and the department in Shamshiripour’s case.

Shamshiripour’s deteriorating mental health condition was reported by case managers and health professionals on Manus Island, who said he had “become a danger to stakeholders and residents alike with his erratic and unpredictable behaviour”.

He was the subject of repeated reports from guards, case managers and mental health professionals within the Manus Island detention centre.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Warnings of Hamed Shamshiripour’s deteriorating mental health: ‘[He] has displayed concerning behaviour including erratic switching between crying, laughing and declarations such as announcing himself as “King of Iran”.’ Click on document to read more.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest ‘He has become a danger to stakeholders and residents alike with his erratic and unpredictable behaviour.’ Click on document to read more.

However, after a number of psychotic episodes, Shamshiripour was arrested and jailed for a month in Lorengau.

Fourteen fellow asylum seekers and refugees lodged a complaint that Shamshiripour was arrested and beaten instead of being treated.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A letter of complaint to the Manus Island detention centre over the treatment of Iranian asylum seeker Hamed Shamshiripour

In the wake of Shamshiripour’s death, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees warned of an “escalating crisis” on Manus Island and said the forcible closure of the detention centre – without any viable alternative – was causing “acute distress among refugees and asylum-seekers”.

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The UNHCR said it was deeply saddened by Shamshiripour’s death, and said it highlighted the precarious situation faced by vulnerable people on Manus Island.

“The planned closure of the centre, along with the announced withdrawal of current medical care, torture and trauma support and security services by October 2017, is exacerbating a highly stressful situation for the 773 people who remain on Manus Island,” a spokeswoman said. “Many fear for their safety outside the centre, particularly in the wake of several violent incidents in recent years.”

The UNHCR reiterated its call for Australia to find “viable, humane solutions” outside of PNG and Nauru for those still held in offshore processing.

In parliament, the Greens senator, Nick McKim, called for Shamshiripour’s body to be brought to Australia for an independent autopsy.

“It’s important that people, including Hamed’s fellow detainees, have confidence in the autopsy’s findings,” McKim said.

“Hamed was Australia’s prisoner, and it is the Australian government’s responsibility to determine exactly how he died.”

The Refugee Action Coalition have also called for an independent investigation into Shamshiripour’s death, saying it was impossible for PNG police to so quickly rule out foul play.



Photos are in circulation purportedly showing Shamshiripour’s body when it was found. The Guardian has chosen not to publish these.

“Anyone who has seen the photos knows that Hamed’s death is suspicious,” spokesman Ian Rintoul said. “And anyone who is familiar with Hamed’s circumstances, would know that Hamed had been arrested and beaten by the local police many times. The PNG police could not be relied on to carry out a thorough or impartial investigation. There are no facilities on Manus for an autopsy.



“There is an urgent need for an independent autopsy and investigation to establish the cause of death. It has been disgusting to watch the Turnbull government try to avoid its responsibility.”

A refugee held on Manus Island has reportedly been transferred to Port Moresby in a critical condition.

The refugee was reportedly attacked on Manus Island several days ago and is suffering serious head injuries. Calls to PNG immigration about the man’s conditions have not been returned.