Photographer Vlad Sohin dies in traffic accident in Gabon

Internationally renowned photographer Vlad Sohin died in a traffic accident in Gabon. Over the years, Sohin worked with publications including National Geographic, The Guardian and Newsweek, and documented humanitarian crises in collaboration with UN agencies. In his memory, Meduza is publishing his photo story on Australia's migrant detention centres on Nauru Island and Manus Island.

Internationally renowned Russian photographer Vlad Sohin died in a tragic traffic accident in Gabon. His colleague, documentalist Sergei Karpov, reported that Sohin had stopped on a highway next to a burning house when another vehicle, whose driver had lost control, crashed into his car. The photographer died at the scene. His friend Dmitri was taken to intensive care. Sohin had lived in recent years in Gabon's capital, Libreville.

International career and recognition

Sohin collaborated for years with both Russian and foreign publications, including National Geographic, Newsweek, The Guardian, Le Monde, Esquire, BBC and International Herald Tribune. He was a laureate of the Visa pour l'Image award and worked closely with humanitarian organisations, working for UNICEF and UNESCO.

Photo story from Pacific detention centres

In his memory, the publication Meduza is publishing Sohin's photo series on Australia's temporary migrant detention centres in Papua New Guinea and on Nauru Island, material that first appeared in July 2015.

Under Australia's Pacific Solution programme launched by the government in 2001, all people who arrived by boat without a visa and sought asylum were sent to detention centres on Nauru Island or Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, where their status was determined. In July 2013, then-Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that no one who had arrived illegally by boat would be able to gain Australian refugee status.

Strictly closed detention conditions

From January 2014, Nauru and Manus Island tightened entry conditions for human rights activists and journalists. From July 2015, Australia banned detention centre workers from speaking about conditions there, threatening them with imprisonment if they did. Sohin managed to stay on the islands even after entry restrictions were tightened.

Banners from Australia's immigration department stating "You will not make Australia home, no matter what" have been placed in airports in Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and other Asian countries. Refugees who, despite the dangerous journey, reach the coast are still sent to detention centres on Pacific islands. Processing of their cases takes approximately one year, and refugees granted status are offered the option of staying permanently in Papua New Guinea or on Nauru Island.

In Nauru's Anibare region refugee camp, single people and childless couples live in containers measuring two to four metres, which contain only a bunk bed, a toilet and a mini-fridge. According to Australia's government plans, refugees were to live in such camps for the rest of their lives.