Iranian refugee dies of self-inflicted burns after protesting Australia's refugee program

An Iranian refugee who set himself on fire in protest of Australia's offshore refugee resettlement program in Nauru has died in an Australian hospital, immigration officials said on Friday.

Australia maintains harsh boarder protection policies, transferring "illegal maritime arrivals" to one of two offshore detention centers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) or Nauru.

The 23-year-old man set himself alight earlier this week in protest of his treatment at Nauru which has often been criticized for its lackluster conditions and reports of sexual assault. The incident occurred in the presence of visiting United Nations officials.

After being transferred to Australia for emergency medical treatment, "the man passed away this afternoon in a Brisbane Hospital," an Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection spokesperson said on Friday.

"The Department expresses its sympathies to his wife, family and friends."

The man's tragic death only adds fuel to public criticism and political scrutiny of Australia's harsh policies in the lead-up to a highly contested general election following a PNG Supreme Court decision deeming Australia's center on Manus Island was illegal.

PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill subsequently announced the Manus Island center was to be closed, though no timeframe given.

O'Neill's decision has put the two closely-linked neighbours into conflict, with each saying the responsibility for the asylum seekers remains with the other.

Australian officials have said should the impasse remain following negotiations over the center's future next week, the some 850 detainees - over half recognized refugees - could be transferred to Nauru. Endit