The protest which began on Sunday is calling for detainees in the centre to be moved into community detention over fears of the possible spread of COVID-19 inside the facility.
In a video obtained by SBS Arabic24, one of the three rooftop protesters, a man identified as John Jordan, said the group had been denied their “basic right” to water, food and medicine.
"I have reached the stage where I am preparing to give my life to help other comrades obtain the visa instead of keeping them here for years to die,” he said, affirming that he has a condition requiring regular medication.
“I get cramps in my gut and my legs because I don’t take the medicine. [The guards] refuse to give me the medicine because I am here.
"I asked in a nice way for the medicine, but they told me that I have to get down first, and now I feel hungry and thirsty.”
A Nigerian detainee identified as Kalu John said the demonstrators wished to speak with an official from the Department of Home Affairs to negotiate the release of detainees due to fears of a possible spread of COVID-19.
Source: Supplied
SBS Arabic24 has contacted the Department of Home Affairs to comment on the claims about the refusal of food, water and medicine.
In an earlier response, a spokesperson from the department said that
"Detainees displaying any COVID-19 symptoms may be quarantined and tested in line with advice from health officials and in accordance with the broader Commonwealth response,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson confirmed that in addition to regular daily cleaning, increased cleaning of communal areas, high traffic areas and common touchpoints is occurring.
Villawood Immigration Detention Centre detainees protesting on the facility's roof. Source: Supplied
Mr John, who has been in detention at the centre for three years, said detainees didn't feel that the measures taken by guards to safeguard against COVID-19 were “sufficient”.
"The centre is not safe, many guards come and go without medical masks or gloves, I will not believe what they say [about infection control measures],” he said.
A group of detainees inside the centre is also taking part in a hunger strike to call for their release over COVID-19 fears.
Of the estimated 1400 people held in detention in Australia, many are asylum seekers awaiting a decision on their applications to remain in the country.
Detainees say social distancing is not being followed in immigration facilities. Source: Supplied
Furthermore, among those detained are former inmates of Australia’s offshore centres on Manus Island and Nauru, who were transferred to Australia to receive medical treatment as part of the Medevac law.
