Behrouz Boochani’s literary prize acceptance speech – full transcript

Asylum speaker accepts $125,000 Victorian premier’s literary prize via video from Manus Island, where he has been held for six years

• Behrouz Boochani
• The Guardian

This is a transcript of the speech Behrouz Boochani delivered via video link on 31 January 2019

• Behrouz Boochani wins Australia’s richest literary prize

When I arrived at Christmas Island six years ago, an immigration official called me into the office and told me that they were going to exile me to Manus Island, a place in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

I told them that I am a writer.

That same person just laughed at me, and ordered the guards to exile me to…

• Behrouz Boochani’s literary…