The Manus Island detention centre has officially closed and the electricity shut off with food, water and other essential services stopped and all staff left but more than 600 men are still refusing to leave, saying they fear for their lives in the Papua New Guinean community.
The UN has supported claims by observers that community accommodation for detainees is not ready, refuting assurances given by the Australian government. The Greens senator Nick McKim, who is on Manus Island told the Guardian that the Australian government immigration minister, Peter Dutton was “bullshitting” about the readiness of accommodation. “My response to Peter Dutton is that he is a racist, a proven liar, a fascist, and a proven human rights abuser... I’m prepared to stake my political credibility any time against the credibility of a monster like Peter Dutton.” McKim said. "If all the guys came out today there would be 150-plus of them who would be left on the side of the road in Lorengau, where there have been brutal attacks,” he said.
The Greens leader, Richard Di Natalie, defended his senator’s comments on Monday morning. “Mr Dutton has behaved in a way that’s absolutely racist, it’s abhorrent,” Di Natale told Radio National. “He has washed his hands of any responsibility to these people.”
Detainees were keeping watch through the night, fearful of attacks by locals or attempts by authorities to forcibly remove them.
Papua New Guinea’s largest newspaper, the Post-Courier, declared Australia had “literally abandoned Manus Island”, sparking chaos and confusion. The PNG government has said all refugees and asylum seekers who won’t settle in PNG are Australia’s obligation. Australia has not responded.
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http://news.trust.org/item/20171103124910-3meo4/
The United Nations human rights office called on Australia on Friday to restore food, water and health services to about 600 interned refugees and asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea, which Canberra cut off three days ago.
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