Posts Tagged ‘Manus Island’

Australians ask NZ Bishops for help settling asylum seekers

Monday, October 14th, 2019

Last month I joined with Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) to speak at a series of public forums around the country to discuss the future for asylum seekers who remain in limbo in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. So far I have spoken in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart and Launceston, Adelaide, Perth and Benalla in Read more

Bishops tell government to do more for refugees, asylum seekers

Monday, February 25th, 2019

Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) bishops are urging the government to do more to help resettle the country’s refugees and asylum seekers. Besides pushing for a definitive end to the detention of refugees on Manus Island, the bishops are also highlighting the plight of various groups in the country who have not gained refugee status. In Read more

Manus refugee nominated for human rights award

Monday, October 29th, 2018

A Manus Island refugee has been nominated for an international human rights award. Abdul Aziz Muhamat fled persecution in Sudan only to be detained by Australia in Papua New Guinea, where he became a spokesperson for hundreds of men held there for five years. Continue reading

Sick Manus Island refugees not given interpreters

Monday, August 13th, 2018

Refugees receiving medical treatment in Papua New Guinea are no longer provided with interpreters, a Kurdish refugee says. Despite a promise that interpreters would be available, the English speaking Kurd said he had to volunteer to help patients and doctors communicate. Continue reading

Manus Island – the priest and the Major show everyday humanity and decency

Monday, November 27th, 2017
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The decency and integrity of two Manus Islanders, a Catholic priest and a retired army major, has impressed Kon Karapanagiotidis from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. He said their story shows us the power of people’s everyday humanity and decency. “These men highlight an important story that has been missed by many.” The two Manusian Read more

Dutton’s refugee ploy undermining New Zealand

Thursday, November 23rd, 2017

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made finding a solution to the Manus Island standoff a priority. The remaining refugees and asylum seekers of the Lombrom Naval Base insist that their new locations in Lorengau closer to community areas will be unsafe, and refuse to leave. During this crisis, the Turnbull government has become visibly Read more

Protesters block entrance to Australian High Commission’s gates in NZ

Thursday, November 16th, 2017
protesters

About 20 protesters blocked the entrance to the Australian high commission in Wellington on Monday to highlight the plight of refugees and asylum-seekers on Manus Island. “The purpose of the protest was to prevent anyone inside from leaving”, Peace Action Wellington spokeswoman Emma Cullen said. “We’re shutting them down for as long as we can Read more

A symbol of inhumanity: asylum seeker policy in Australia

Thursday, November 9th, 2017

If you had been told thirty years ago that Australia would create the least asylum seeker friendly institutional arrangements in the world, you would not have been believed. In 1992 we introduced a system of indefinite mandatory detention for asylum seekers who arrive by boat. Since that time, we have accepted the idea that certain Read more

Manus: Take up New Zealand’s offer, says Australian bishop

Thursday, November 9th, 2017
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The Australian Bishops’ Delegate for Migrants and Refugees says the Australian government should accept New Zealand’s offer to take detainees on Manus Island. “It is time to find an alternative and conscionable solution, including accepting New Zealand’s offer of resettlement and bringing the remaining detainees on Manus Island to Australia,” said Bishop Vincent Long Van Read more

Brigidine Sister sounds alarm about lack of support for mentally ill

Monday, October 9th, 2017

A 72-year-old Brigidine sister, Jane Keogh, is on Manus Island where she has been trying to help a mentally ill man at the East Lorengau Transit Centre. She says there is no help available for people suffering from mental illness. Last week an apparent suicide of a Tamil detainee was closely followed by that of Read more