pamelacurr

Pamela Curr · @pamelacurr

11th Nov 2015 from TwitLonger

Correction and Clarification on Chris Kenny Post


I would like to correct the record of events concerning my recent posting about Chris Kenny on Nauru.
I have established through conversations with the women at Ijuwe camp that Mr Kenny was not inside the room where Abyan and her roommate lived but was at the door in the breezeway which was common space for the six rooms which opened onto it.
The confusion arose when Mr Kenny approached Abyan a second time for an interview and she became distressed and rang me. She said to me – words to the effect- the journalist is here and he won’t go away. I heard clearly what was taking place as Abyan told him to leave, to go away and that she was sick.
I asked Abyan to pass her phone to him and I heard her say- talk to my friend – she speaks good English.
I asked if he was Chris Kenny- he answered- “speaking”.
I told him to leave the room. He did not say that he was not in the room. He replied that he was talking to Abyan.
I said that I could hear and that she was clearly asking him to leave. I added- If you do not leave I will tweet this to Australia so that everyone knows what you are doing here.
He hung up.
I had to speak at a school in minutes but was concerned at how I could protect Abyan from so far away.
I was not lying but I accept now that Mr Kenny was not inside the room, however he was on the doorstep and within the space that Abyan was entitled to call her space and to choose who stood on her doorstep asking her questions.
I apologise to Mr Kenny for any embarrassment he may have received, if people reading my original story, are thinking that Mr Kenny forced his way into Abyan’s hut.


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