The body of an Iranian asylum seeker, who took his own life on Nauru more than a month ago, has been flown to Brisbane.
Fariborz Karami. Photo: Facebook / Fariborz Karami
The Guardian reported the remains of Fariborz Karami were transported following an emotional standoff between his mother and the Australian Border Force (ABF) over where Mr Karami would be buried.
ABF initially told Mr Karami's mother, Fazileh Mansour Beigi, that she could either agree to have him buried on Nauru or have his body repatriated to Iran.
Mrs Mansour Beigi refused, saying in either case his grave could not be visited by family.
Donations from anonymous philanthropists in Australia covered the cost of the flight and the funeral, according to the Guardian.
Extended family members in Australia had taken responsibility for Mr Karami's burial.
A legal challenge was reportedly being prepared to bring Mrs Mansour Beigi and her surviving son from Nauru to Australia for the funeral. Both were described as acutely unwell.
The funeral home had agreed to hold Karami's body for a limited time in case his mother is ultimately able to attend.
Staff on Nauru told the Guardian at least 19 refugees and asylum seekers had been moved off the island to Australia in the last fortnight.
Many of those were transported following court orders to protect critically ill children. Others, including entire families, were moved at the ABF's direction.
A protest at one of Australia's refugee detention centres on Nauru. Photo: supplied
In June, the Guardian published a letter from Mrs Mansour Beigi to the ABF.
Hello my oppressors and heartless prison officers,
Hello again ABF,
Do you know me? I am the same suffering and miserable mother who repeatedly begged you to help. Frequently, I implored you to assist me. An ill mother who could not stand to see her children in this situation any more. Often, I told you and I wrote to you that my sons are depressed and exhausted 'please help a sick and feeble mother'. But, instead of support, you replied that if I couldn't tolerate it, I should return to my country.
Again I made a complaint to you and I wrote that after five years facing torture, I am not able to go back to my country. I asked you to please upgrade our tent as it might change my kids' mood. Again you ignored me.
For five years you incarcerated me and my innocent children in Nauru and ignored us. I know that your violence and cruelty is deeply rooted and against that I am a powerless woman. You even deprived me from having a mobile phone, lest I speak up? But I always told you if any harm befell my children, I wouldn't remain silent.
Since Friday, you have kept my son's corpse in IHMS's fridge, to look for his murderer? Since then, have you not smelled your own hands? My 26-year-old son had his last breaths in your mouldy tents and closed his beautiful eyes to your abomination, injustice and disgusting policies. You even hesitate to provide him a bottle of cold water.
For five years, you tortured his athletic body under deadly heat. Now, you confiscated his dead body and keep him in a cold place. You don't allow me to bury him and entrust him to eternal peace with his beautiful face and body.
I doubt if you are human! Where in the world would they keep a young corpse in the fridge for long time, inside a connex [container] near a place his mother is living? Are you even scared of our dead bodies? Do you hate us that much that you are afraid of us alive or dead? You still disrespect us.
I prop myself up until I bury my son's body with respect otherwise all the world is meaningless for me and not worthy even to breathe. If you don't want to have another corpse, lying next to my son, as soon as possible give me written permission to bury him anywhere except Nauru and Iran.
Fariborz's mournful mother,
Fazileh Mansour Beigi
Slaughterhouse and torture house of Nauru
24/6/2018