Aziz in the snow, in Switzerland — Photo: Michael Green

'Hard to imagine. Start your life again. Have your own house, your own family.'

Incredibly, Aziz is in Switzerland. And he’s just won a major international award for human rights defenders. 

He’s swamped with attention and adoration, briefings and business cards. But he is only allowed to be in Geneva for three short weeks. Then he has to return to Manus Island – back to the dangerous situation he’s being celebrated for campaigning against.

In this episode, we follow Aziz as he negotiates meetings with diplomats and speeches to the UN. He struggles with an unexpected, oppressive dilemma – should he board a plane back to his brothers on Manus, or seek yet another uncertain path to safety and freedom?

A transcript of this episode is available here (PDF format).

• 'Aziz: A Stranger in Geneva', produced by Michael Green for Earshot, ABC Radio National (first broadcast 28 September 2019)
• 'Flight from Manus' by Michael Green, ABC Radio National, 1 October 2019
  
  

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green
• Peggy Hicks
• Michael Khambatta

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin. Music used in this episode was produced by Hour House (Mark Leacy and Sam Kenna), except for 'I am the Changer', by Cotton Jones.

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. This episode was originally commissioned and produced for the ABC Radio National programme, Earshot. It was produced by Michael Green. The supervising producer was Lyn Gallacher. The sound engineer was Melissa May.

Narration by Michael Green. Additional editing and mixing by Jon Tjhia.

André Dao, Jon Tjhia, Hannah Reich, Bec Fary and Sophie Black. Also Camilla Chapman, Cecilia Cannon and Sean Cole, and Behind the Wire's many participants and volunteers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aziz, in a hotel room facing onto Genève-Cornavin railway station — Photo: Michael Green

'I just feel like I left my soul back there, you know. Personally I'm here, but my heart is still in Manus.'

Aziz is shortlisted for a major international prize, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders. The ceremony is in Geneva, Switzerland. Improbably, the prize’s organisers secretly arrange permission for him to leave Manus Island to attend the event. 

In this episode, Aziz finally – temporarily – escapes Papua New Guinea, five and a half years after the Australian government took him there against his will. But he has no proper passport or visa, and no idea what to expect.  

After years of exile and captivity, how will it feel to visit Switzerland – one of the richest countries in the world? And can Aziz make any difference for those who remain stuck on Manus Island and Nauru?

A transcript of this episode is available here (PDF format).

• 'Aziz: Flight from Manus' by Michael Green, Earshot, ABC Radio National, first broadcast 21 September 2019
  
• The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders
  
  

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green
• Michael Khambatta
• Hans Thoolen

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin. Music used in this episode is by Hour House (Mark Leacy and Sam Kenna).

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. This episode was originally commissioned and produced for the ABC Radio National programme, Earshot. It was produced by Michael Green. The supervising producer was Lyn Gallacher. The sound engineer was Melissa May.

Narration by Michael Green. Additional editing and mixing by Jon Tjhia.

André Dao, Jon Tjhia, Hannah Reich, Bec Fary and Sophie Black. Thanks also to Camilla Chapman, Cecilia Cannon and Sean Cole, and to Behind the Wire's many participants and volunteers. Michael Green's travel to Papua New Guinea was supported by a grant from the Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The men demonstrate their improvised well — Photo: Michael Green

‘Twenty four days we lived as a nation … The only way I can describe [it] is that we were a nation.’

The detention centre on Manus Island might be closed, but Aziz – and the vast majority of the men who were held there – remain on the island, living in three different centres.

By early 2019, Aziz is well into his sixth year, waiting. In that time, he’s felt free for only a few weeks – those few weeks when the immigration detention system disintegrated around him.

In this episode, The Messenger returns to late 2017, and the crucial period when Australia shut down the Manus Regional Processing Centre and the men refused to leave. We take you inside the centre as the standoff unfolds. There are no guards, no caseworkers, no immigration officials – and no food, water, medicine or electricity.

Aziz and his friends are in charge. How did they survive? And why did they stay?

A transcript of this episode is coming soon.

• 'No Exit: The ongoing abuses of Australia’s refugee policy' by Michael Green, Harper's Magazine, July 2018

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green
• Behrouz Boochani
• Benham Satah
• Poli Boas
• Clarence Parisau
• Michael Kuweh

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin. Music used in this episode includes 'Unrest' by Adrian Klumpes, 'La Mer' by Pivot, 'Southeast of Boston' by June of 44, 'Out with the Cold' by Kaffe Matthews, 'Rhodes Viola Multiple' by Keith Fullerton Whitman, '1.3'by Piano Magic, 'Passages' by Bowery Electric, 'Shine' by Klara Lewis and 'Iberia Eteria' by Biosphere.

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

Narration by Michael Green. With reporting by Abdul Aziz Muhamat. Transcription by Claire McGregor, Carolyn Turner, Tiarne Cook, Julia Earley and many more​. This episode was edited and mixed by Michael Green and Jon Tjhia.

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville, Camilla Chapman and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Michael Green's travel to Papua New Guinea was supported by a grant from the Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's raining on Michael's last afternoon on Manus Island, and Aziz drops by to catch up. They discuss where things are at with Aziz and the other men, and what he expects will happen next. Then, it's time to say farewell.

This episode will be the last of our short updates – but we'll return soon with another full episode, unpacking what Michael found when he visited Manus Island.

'If I can predict, the only thing that's gonna happen is we will be just forgotten in this island.'

Abdul Aziz Muhamat in Lorengau, Manus Island — Photo: Michael Green

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin. Music used in this episode includes 'Please Gamelan Again' by Colleen, and 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' by Tomoki Kanda.

• 'Second cohort of Nauru and Manus refugees to be resettled in US', by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia, accessed 16 December 2017

• 'A Letter from Manus Island', by Behrouz Boochani, Saturday Paper, accessed 10 December 2017
  
  

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I’m safe and I’m alive.’

An eventful week has passed. After PNG immigration officials and police entered the decommissioned detention centre, destroying food, water and belongings, the 421 men remaining there are forced to relocate to the other facilities on Manus Island.

After a brief spell of homelessness, Aziz has found a bed in the East Lorengau transit centre. In a chance meeting with Michael, he explains how he’s adjusting to the new situation – and trying to regain his energy to continue working.

A mess remains after PNG immigration officials raid and ransack the camp — Photo: Manus Alert

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin. Music used in this episode includes 'Shine' by Klara Lewis. Additional audio recordings have been sourced from smartphone videos of the eviction and relocation.

• 'Manus Island: PNG authorities say they have cleared detention centre, all men bused out', by Liam Fox and Louise Yaxley, ABC News, accessed 28 November 2017

• 'Manus police pulled my hair and beat me. "You've damaged our reputation," they said', by Behrouz Boochani, Guardian Australia, accessed 28 November 2017
• 'Forced Removal', Ten Eyewitness News, accessed 28 November 2017
  
  

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rain comes. In his voice messages, Aziz sounds unwell – but speaks at length about how, in spite of their living conditions, the men finally feel they have some control over their lives. He tells Michael about how they're cooperating with each other, too – splitting duties like security and the daily cleaning of the compound.

'We don't always want to get the attention of the people about the hardship,' he explains. 'We are just paying the price for our freedom.'

'We are managing our lives. You know, it's been 21 days now, three weeks … it's become normal for us.'

Photo: Manus Alert

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin.

• 'The situation is critical’: cholera fears on Manus as water and medicine run out', by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia, accessed 21 November 2017

• 'Refugees Trapped Far from Home, Farther from Deliverance', by Damien Cave, New York Times, accessed 21 November 2017
  
  

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seventeen days into the stand-off with authorities, Aziz tells Michael about how men in the detention centre are dealing with the lack of water after tanks and wells were destroyed – as well as the men's medical needs, many arising from the ad hoc water supply. And with New Zealand's resettlement offer in the headlines, he reflects on why Australia has so far refused it.

'The tank is still empty, because it's been like, a few days we haven't had any rain.'

Photo: Manus Alert

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin.

• 'NZ refugee offer stands, despite new allegations', by Mei Heron, Radio NZ, accessed 17 November 2017

• 'Decay, despair, defiance: inside the Manus Island refugee camp', by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia, accessed 17 November 2017

• 'What Is Happening on Manus Island? The Detainee Crisis Explained', by Russell Goldman and Damien Cave, New York Times, accessed 17 November 2017
  
  

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aziz reports that Papua New Guinean immigration officials have been entering the detention centre to destroy tanks and wells. Meanwhile, the men remaining in the camp have tried to avoid provocation and confrontation. Daily protests have moved to a cooler time of day to account for their lack of water and shade. Aziz says things are quiet in the camp, and spirits are generally positive. Michael arrives on Manus Island.

'Food and water, electricity … this is not our main concern. Our main concern is we just want to get out of this island, and to a safe country.'

A water tank damaged by immigration officials leaks water onto the ground. The centre has now been without a mains water supply for two weeks — Photo: Manus Alert

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin. Additional audio sourced from video footage recorded inside the centre.

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds of men remain in the decommissioned detention centre – refusing to be relocated to camps which many (including the UN's refugee agency) have said are unfinished or unsafe. Papua New Guinean immigration officers have removed fences, shade and clotheslines from the camp. Rubbish bins storing rain and well water have been tipped out, and makeshift wells destroyed. In this update, comprised of Aziz's weary and infrequent messages, he describes the increasingly strained situation.

'They were trying to push people – and swearing, abusing.'

The men sit in protest beside the denuded fence posts of the (now former) Manus Island Regional Processing Centre — Photo: Manus Alert

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin.

• 'Horrific footage from within Manus Island Detention Centre shows squalid conditions', by Jennifer Sexton, Daily Telegraph, accessed 10 November 2017

• 'Smuggled footage shows horrific conditions in Manus detention centre – video', Guardian Australia, accessed 10 November 2017

• 'Photos cast doubt on new Manus housing', Australian, by Rory Callinan, Australian, accessed 8 November 2017

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court rejects an appeal to restore power, water and food to the decommissioned detention centre, Aziz says the men never held much hope for a positive outcome in the first place. When Michael expresses concern about the ever-escalating situation, Aziz vents his mistrust of the courts and politicians, and defends the men’s decision to stay.

'I truly believe that each and every of these men … made his own choice to stay.'

Aziz, protesting — Photo: Supplied

• Abdul Aziz Muhamat

• Michael Green

Our theme music was composed by Raya Slavin.

The Messenger is a co-production of Behind the Wire and the Wheeler Centre. It’s produced by Michael Green, André Dao, Hannah Reich and Bec Fary, with Jon Tjhia and Sophie Black at the Wheeler Centre.

This short update was edited and mixed by Jon Tjhia.

Dana Affleck, Angelica Neville and Sienna Merope. Also to Behind the Wire’s many participants and volunteers. Behind the Wire is supported by the Bertha Foundation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.