The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands says it is appalled to hear of recent disturbances at the Manus Island detention centre resulting in death and injury for the asylum seekers.
The The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands has consistently spoken against offshore processing in PNG of asylum seekers who are seeking asylum in Australia.
When the Manus detention centre was reopened in the context of a deal with the Australian government the Bishops protested in the strongest terms.
They questioned the legality, in the light of the PNG Constitution’s protection of freedom (section 42), of bringing people who have not broken of the nation’s laws, into the country and imprisoning them.
“Detaining people against their will in PNG, even if it “works” as a deterrent is not a just solution worthy of a great nation otherwise proud of its human rights record. It clearly places an intolerable strain on the capacity of Papua New Guinea to manage, and might lead to even more deaths, injury and trauma. Close the centre and manage the problem in Australia.”
Source
- Supplied: Fr. Victor Roche, SVD, General Secretary Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
- Image: Sydney Morning Herald
