Pacific / Nauru

Serious assault on asylum seeker in Nauru, says Coalition

19:06 pm on 19 November 2015

Australia's Refugee Action Coalition says no action was taken in Nauru after a bus driver assaulted and injured an asylum seeker.

Protesting asylum seekers on Nauru earlier this year. Photo: Supplied

The assault occurred in full view of six witnesses, leaving the man with a broken jaw and facial injuries.

He has been flown to Australia for urgent medical attention.

Ian Rintoul of the Refugee Action Coalition says the Nauru police have done nothing, with the government also remaining silent.

"There's a lack of political will absolutely, in terms of chasing any, or investigating any, you know, local Nauruan they think may have been perpetrators of this kind of violence. But it's clear that that attitude, you know, comes from the top."

Mr Rintoul says offshore processing has left refugees more vulnerable to acts of violence and abuse.