Aziz in the snow, in Switzerland — Photo: Michael Green'Hard to imagine. Start your life again. Have your own house, your own family.'– Abdul Aziz MuhamatIncredibly, Aziz is in Switzerland. And he’s just won a major international award

#12 Flight from Manus

Dec 16th, 2019 29m 18s

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.'– Abdul Aziz MuhamatAziz is shortlist

#11 We Lived as a Nation

Feb 7th, 2019 39m 27s

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.’– Abdul Aziz MuhamatThe detention centre on Manus Island might be clo

What I Can See Right Now

Dec 18th, 2017 7m 51s

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 t

I'm Not Really Settled Right Now

Nov 28th, 2017 6m 47s

‘I’m safe and I’m alive.’Abdul Aziz MuhamatAn 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

We Are Looking After Each Other

Nov 21st, 2017 6m 21s

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

It's Been 17 Days

Nov 17th, 2017 7m 22s

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

We Are Just Living on a Daily Basis

Nov 15th, 2017 6m 54s

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

Everything That We Have Built

Nov 11th, 2017 3m 56s

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, sha

There is a Reason

Nov 7th, 2017 4m 39s

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 a

We Are Hoping to Find a Way to Communicate

Nov 4th, 2017 3m 9s

As the detainees' isolation intensifies, Aziz tells Michael about the burden of his responsibilities – and his hope of some negotiation to end the stand-off.Like many of the other men, Aziz has tried to shield his family from knowing about his

We Wait for the Day to Make a Plan for Us

Nov 3rd, 2017 3m 25s

Three days after the official closure of the detention centre, several hundred detainees remain barricaded inside the gates without water, power or food supplied. Aziz describes the scene, and explains some of the ways the men are getting by.

We Are Just Ready

Oct 30th, 2017 4m 40s

Mere hours from Australia's deadline to close Manus Island's immigration detention centre, tensions are running high amongst detainees. Why does Aziz seem calm?'I feel like in 24 hours I will know something exactly, either positive or negativ

We Never Had Any Storm Like This

Oct 27th, 2017 2m 22s

The security guards and other staff are leaving the detention centre. Aziz explains how the detainees are preparing for life without power.Damaged by rough weather, a tree has fallen across the perimeter fencing of Manus Island Regional Proc

Position is Clear

Oct 23rd, 2017 2m 22s

Abdul Aziz Muhamat — Photo: Michael GreenAs the days count down to the end of October – when Australia has promised to close the detention centre on Manus Island – Aziz's short voice messages outline the situation as he understands it, and

Hello Hello

Oct 21st, 2017 1m 40s

With just ten days left before Australia closes the detention centre on Manus Island, Aziz leaves a few short voice messages, explaining how he is feeling.Abdul Aziz Muhamat — Photo: Michael GreenIn this updateAbdul Aziz MuhamatMicha

#10 It Runs In My Blood

Sep 28th, 2017 27m 59s

Aziz — Photo: Michael Green'This place has become part of me. It runs in my blood.'Abdul Aziz MuhamatAfter seven long months in Port Moresby recovering from knee surgery, Aziz finally returns to Manus Island. He’s overjoyed to be home

#9 Freedom Is Not Free

Sep 22nd, 2017 44m

Abdul Aziz Muhamat and Michael Green on Manus Island — (Photo: Behrouz Boochani)'Freedom is not free. You have to pay for it. And we pay; now we are paying for our freedoms.'Abdul Aziz MuhamatJust before Christmas of 2016, Aziz is tran

#8 Kind of a Dream

Jul 7th, 2017 49m 2s

Behrouz and Aziz at Hauwei Island — (Photo: Michael Green)'I’m excited because … for almost three years I haven’t left the centre, and I was just locked inside there … Now, I’m walking on the streets – every two steps I take, I turn and I

#7 A Small Village

May 10th, 2017 27m 5s

‘I have got energy, so … why can’t I just keep in touch with the outside world?’AzizPhoto: Michael GreenEven though Aziz is in detention, far away from both his home and from the country whose government is holding him, he’s on his pho

#6 A New Plan

Apr 9th, 2017 40m 35s

‘I'm just pretending … as if I'm preparing for a space journey, and the space journey, it takes many years.’AzizAfter months of interviews, Aziz finally sits facing an immigration officer and an interpreter, about to find out whether he’s

#5 A Safer Place

Mar 13th, 2017 44m 25s

Stopping the boats. It's one of the most fraught topics in Australian politics, and most of the time it comes out in two soundbites: saving lives at sea, and securing our borders.Abdul Aziz Muhamat'I was instructed to … select the childr

#4 Today I'm Really Smiling

Feb 23rd, 2017 39m 13s

A major ruling by the Papua New Guinea Supreme Court offers hope for Aziz – but, amidst the promise, the men receive devastating news from Nauru. Meanwhile, they’re encouraged to accept the option to resettle in PNG. So why doesn’t Aziz take it

#3 I Have Got Some People Waiting For Me

Feb 9th, 2017 42m 6s

Aziz’s life has been a story of chance – and choice. As Michael pieces together Aziz’s journey from Sudan to Manus, he realises Aziz has been searching for a safe place for about eight years. So what gives him the ability, and the energy, to sp

#2 I Need to Format My Memory

Feb 2nd, 2017 44m 35s

As the world reacts to the Trump administration’s new US border policies, Aziz’s situation is as uncertain as ever, with no end in sight. Life on Manus grinds on. ‘When we see someone who is just hurting himself or he is trying to commit suic