Australian detainees hopeful of redressal after Novak Djokovic kept in same 'torture cell'

Tennis star Novak Djokovic is being kept in an infamous hotel 'prison' where refugees and asylum-seekers have complained about being served food covered in maggots and mould. Djokovic was transferred to Park Hotel in Carlton, Melbourne, on Thursday after being detained at city’s airport due to problems with medical exemptions. facility is used as an immigration detention centre and has been described by detainees as a “torture cell”, according to Guardian. 

Now, Djokovic’s wrangling with Australian authorities over entering nation has highlighted plight of those who have been stuck in infamous detention hotel for months and years. While speaking to Guardian, a 38-year-old detainee complained that re is no fresh air in hotel and food is also not great. Anor refugee who has spent nine years in detention said that re is a “disappointment” as everyone wants to know about Djokovic, and how hotel is like for him. 

“But y don’t ask about us: we have been locked up in this place for months, for years,” he said, ding: “I hope Novak Djokovic learns about our situation here, and I hope he speaks about it.” 

Detainees hope Djokovic would speak about situation in 'torture centre' 

It is to mention that Australian Border Force has been using Carlton’s Park Hotel in Melbourne as an -hoc detention centre for refugees since December 2020. Several refugees and asylum seekers have been held in detention for up to nine years, with Park Hotel only ir most recent location after being transported from Nauru for medical reasons. According to Guardian, majority of those still detained in hotel were brought to Australia in 2019 from offshore processing islands under short-lived medevac laws. 

Back in December, it was reported that meals with maggots and mouldy bre were being served to detainees at hotel, with some getting sick from food. same month, several fires also broke out, leing to refugees being evacuated and one person being taken to a hospital with smoke inhalation. detainees have repeatedly complained that re is no fresh air, no sunlight or nowhere to move. “We’ve been sick, both physically and mentally,” y have said. 

Now, after Djokovic’s arrival at “torture centre”, detainees hope that Serbian tennis star learns about ir situation in hotel, and speaks about it. y accused Australian government of discriminating against people based on class. y said that Australia wants to send a message that it has a strong border and is fair to everyone. However, y ded that this is not true and it has never been true as Australian government has allegedly discriminated against people who come by boat - most vulnerable people who don’t have anor option. 

(Image: AP)