Forced relocation stalls on Manus Island

The first efforts to force the relocation of refugees and asylum seekers in the Manus Island detention centre have stalled.

Yesterday (Sunday 28 May), although the government closed the internal gate of Foxtrot compound (photo at right), five Indian asylum seekers remained in N block (photos below).

The gate separates N block from the rest of Foxtrot compound.

The government has announced its intention to cut off electricity to N block today (Monday, 29 May).

However, attempts are underway to find accommodation for the people there inside the detention centre. As they are asylum seekers, they are not allowed to move to East Lorengau, which only houses refugees who have signed to accept relocation there.

Refugees who had been living in N block are now lining in Oscar compound. Despite the government’s intimidation, none have moved to East Lorengau.

The closure of N block was to be the first stage of the supposed closure of the detention centre.

But the ill-thought out announcement has stalled at the first step, and faces an even bigger hurdle if there is any attempt to force the closure of Foxtrot compound by the end of June.

Foxtrot houses around 250 mostly asylum seekers. They cannot be moved to East Lorengau and there is simply not enough room in the rest of the detention centre to house another 250 in already crowded compounds.

The government is panicked as the Ferrovial contract to run the detention centre ends in October. Neither the Australian government nor the PNG government has any plan to provide secure resettlement of refugees from Manus Island.

Local Manus province officials have ruled out any settlement of asylum seekers or refuges in the province.

There will be a further directions hearing in Port Moresby on 5 June in the long-running Supreme Court case seeking compensation for human rights breaches and “consequential orders” regarding the closure of Manus detention centre and the future of those who have been illegally held there.

There will be no rescue by the US resettlement deal either. Only 70 refugees on Manus have had second interviews and the US officials are not expected back on Manus until August.

“Typically the government has resorted to threats and intimidation as a means to resolve the mess that it has created,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.

“Pressure is also growing on the Australian government from the PNG government as the PNG government recognises that it has no ability to resettle the people who were dumped on Manus Island.

“There is only one secure way to ensure the safety and future of the people that were unlawfully sent to Manus and have endured almost four years of unlawful detention for no crime – that’s to bring them to Australia.”

For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713

Follow us

Latest news