Eaten Fish, Manus Island's refugee cartoonist, given sanctuary in northern Europe Ali Dorani thanks supporters after being granted artist’s residency through International Cities of Refuge Network
Eaten Fish’s self-portrait. The cartoonist left Papua New Guinea last week after more than four years on Manus Island. Photograph: Eaten FishBen Doherty
The Manus Island refugee and cartoonist Ali Dorani has left Papua New Guinea for refuge in northern Europe.
Known by his nom de plume Eaten Fish, Dorani left PNG last week. He spent more than four years in the Australian-run immigration detention centre on Manus Island, where he suffered acute persecution and dangerously poor physical and mental health.
The terrible true story of Mr Eaten Fish, Manus Island cartoonist
He took the name Eaten Fish after he was rescued from the ocean when the boat carrying him to Australia broke up and sank. He was taken to Manus Island in August 2013.
Dorani was freed through the efforts of the International Cities of Refuge Network, a network of cities and regions that offer long-term residencies to writers and artists who face persecution because of their work, and the Victorian poet and refugee advocate Janet Galbraith, who campaigned on Dorani’s behalf.
“I have left PNG, it was a long journey but I am safe now,” Dorani said from his new home, where he will live for at least the next two years. “I am thinking about my friends in Manus Island and Port Moresby. Thank you to my supporters and people who worked to make this journey happen.”
During his time in detention, Dorani chronicled his life in the refugee camp through his work, depicting life in the camp, including watching his friend Faysal Ishak Ahmed die. His work was published around the world, including in the Guardian, and the Washington Post, and by the ABC.
He was backed by a network of cartoonists and artists from across the world, who drew in support to “Free Eaten Fish”.
During his time in detention, Galbraith told the Guardian Dorani was frequently targeted by some guards and occasionally by other detainees. He suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks.
“He arrived in Manus as a young man who was already quite a vulnerable person and I remember being told by some of the workers there that this guy just doesn’t fit here at all, it’s so dangerous for him,” she said.
Cartoonists draw tributes in campaign for freedom of refugee artist held on Manus Read more
“That has played out. He has severe OCD, he will wash his clothes or body for hours and still feel like it’s disgusting. He will wash himself until he’s bleeding.”
Dorani was recognised by the Cartoonists Rights Network International which awarded him its Courage in Editorial Cartooning award in 2016.
The International Cities of Refuge Network’s program director, Elisabeth Dyvik, said Dorani’s freedom would not have been possible without the advocacy of the cartoonists’ network, Galbraith and the Guardian’s First Dog on the Moon.
“We are relieved that Eaten Fish has arrived safely in a city of refuge where he is free to pursue his career as a cartoonist. Icorn would also commend the city of refuge that has invited him to be the city’s Icorn resident for the next two years.”
Dorani is the second refugee from Australia’s Manus Island camp to be granted protection through a private resettlement arrangement.
In November the Iranian refugee Amir Taghinia moved to Vancouver after a group of Canadian citizens privately sponsored him to resettle there.
“I am so thankful,” Taghinia told the Guardian. “I really respect these people, I now consider them as part of my family. I am seeing the generosity Canadians have towards human beings.”
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