Escape from Manus
AuthorJaivet Ealom
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
SubjectsRohingya genocide
Asylum in Australia
Immigration detention in Australia
Manus Regional Processing Centre
GenreAutobiography
PublisherPenguin Books
Publication date
2 July 2021
Pages352
ISBN9780735245198

Escape From Manus is an autobiographical memoir by Rohingya refugee Jaivet Ealom documenting his escape from the genocide in Myanmar, his journey to Indonesia, his arrest upon arrival in Australia, and detention in the Australian offshore detention centres on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. While in detention Ealom suffers prison-like conditions, is the victim of a violent attack, attempts suicide, and goes on hunger strike. After three and a half years of detention is becomes the only person to escape Manus Island. After his escape he travels to the Solomon Islands and finally Canada.[1][2][3]

The book received a positive reception in Australian and Papua New Guinean press.

Plot summary

Christmas Island Detention Centre
Manus island detention centre, 2012

Ealom is a Rohingya refugee whose story starts with his 2013 escape from the genocide in Myanmar. He travels by boat to Jakarta, Indonesia but nearly drowns during the journey and is rescued by a fisherman.[4] From Indonesia, he starts a journey to Australia, planning to seek asylum upon arrival. During his boat journey, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd makes the policy change that Australia would not accept refugees arriving by boat.[5] Upon arrival in Australia he is arrested by Australian authorities and put in detention, initially in Christmas Island detention centre. Ealom is assigned a number and which is put on a permanent wristband.[6] After six months, at the age of 21, he is moved to Manus Island detention centre.[1] The conditions in the detention center were prison-like, toilets are overflowing with raw sewage, the food is rotten, Ealom is housed in an unbearably hot shipping container.[6] Ealom is subjected to psychological torture.[4]

In May 2017, after three and a half years of detention, a suicide attempt, a hunger strike, and serious injuries from an attack, Ealom orchestrates his escape.[7] Posing as an interpreter he escapes the detention center with some aid from detention center staff. Once outside, he purchases and boards a flight to Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.[8][5]

In Papua New Guinea he learns Tok Pisin, pretends to be a Solomon Islander and obtains a Solomon Island passport. He flies to Solomon Islands and then, benefiting from the travel rules between Commonwealth countries, buys a flight to Toronto, Canada.[4]

The book contains criticism of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Australian Government's refugee policies, and addresses common myths about refugees and migrants.[6]

Reception

In March 2020, Escape From Manus was described as "incredible" in The National.[9]

It was described as a "compelling refugee's tale" and "an amazing escape story" in the Sydney Morning Herald in 2021.[1]

Chris Breen, writing in Australian magazine Solidarity, notes the books clear critique of Australia's refugee policy and predicts that it will be made into a film.[6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Carroll, Cameron Woodhead and Steven (3 September 2021). "A novel about being cancelled, an escape from Manus and more new books to read". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "The future of the Hillsong empire after charges against founder Brian Houston, and a daring escape from Manus Island". ABC Radio National. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  3. ↑ Amanda Levinson. "Holocaust survivor's book spurs Rohingyan refugee to escape Australian detention". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "'It was like the scene of a horror movie': how Jaivet Ealom escaped from Manus Island". the Guardian. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  5. 1 2 Knott, Matthew (22 February 2020). "'The only one who made it out': Incredible Manus Island escape revealed". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Australia's refugee cruelty exposed by one man's daring escape". Solidarity Online. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  7. ↑ Susskind, Anne (16 November 2021). "Jaivet's message: don't forget the 200 refugees still in 'Pacific Solution' limbo". Plus61J. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  8. ↑ Sebag-Montefiore, Clarissa (1 July 2021). "'It was like the scene of a horror movie': how Jaivet Ealom escaped from Manus Island". the Guardian. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  9. ↑ "Incredible Manus Island escape revealed – The National". www.thenational.com.pg. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
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