A human rights lawyer says Australia's government is responsible for the latest death of a refugee on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island.
George Newhouse with refugee advocates at the Australian vigil for Hamed Shamshiripour. Photo: Supplied
Lawyer: Aus govt to blame for latest refugee death on Manus
Hamed Shamshiripour's body was found hanging on Monday.
He is the fifth detainee to die on Manus.
George Newhouse, who is acting on behalf of the family in Iran, says a paper trail 'leading all the way up' shows bureaucratic knowledge of Mr Shamshiripour's fragile mental state.
He said the family wanted to know why Australian government agencies left Mr Shamshiripour without adequate care and supervision.
"The family want justice. They want to know the truth about what happened to their son... and they want those in the Australian government and bureaucracy who knew about Hamed's illness and vulnerabilities, but did nothing, to be held accountable."
Mr Newhouse said the family wanted an urgent, independent autopsy to determine the cause of death for which PNG police have ruled out foul play.
Refugees at the Manus Island detention centre are also calling for an investigation into the death, which they say is suspicious
Meanwhile, the refugees' ongoing protest against power and water restrictions yesterday entered its 10th day.