THE Catholic Bishops Conference has appealed to the Australian government to close the Manus Island regional processing centre.
The church’s peak leadership body said it was appalled to hear of the recent disturbance at the centre, resulting in death and injury and was concerned at the Australian government’s "rhetoric of righteous campaign" against people smuggling at the expense of PNG’s reputation. "We were concerned that the rhetoric of a righteous campaign against people smugglers actually seemed to be more a question of political convenience. "We were offended that settlement in PNG was presented in such a negative light so as to act as a deterrent to asylum seekers," the church assembly said. "We noted that ‘according to a report from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees’, arrangements for the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre do not meet international protection standards, and the present situation on Manus is likely to lead to increased levels of psychosocial harm. "This unheeded warning now seems to be proven all too true," the church said in a statement. "And so we repeat again our respectful encouragement to Australia to find a more humane solution to people seeking asylum in their country. Asylum seekers are human beings who deserve respect and recognition of their dignity. "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," the statement said. "It clearly places an intolerable strain on the capacity of PNG to manage, and might lead to even more deaths, injury and trauma. Close the centre and manage the problem in Australia." The push by the church ironically comes after the Australian government recently announced A$26 million (K56m) in additional support to Manus Province. These include assistance to the Lorengau General Hospital, schools, road maintenance, the Lorengau market and youth-focused grants. PNG Facts/ Post Courier Comments are closed.
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