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PNG police enter Manus asylum centre, Australia confirms | PNG police enter Manus asylum centre, Australia confirms |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have entered a former Australian-run detention centre in a bid to get asylum seekers who remain there to leave, the Australian government has confirmed. | Police in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have entered a former Australian-run detention centre in a bid to get asylum seekers who remain there to leave, the Australian government has confirmed. |
Hundreds of men have refused to leave the Manus Island centre since it was shut down on 31 October, citing fears for their safety. | Hundreds of men have refused to leave the Manus Island centre since it was shut down on 31 October, citing fears for their safety. |
On Thursday, multiple men inside the centre said that PNG police had given them a one-hour deadline to leave. | |
Australia said it was a PNG operation. | Australia said it was a PNG operation. |
Under a controversial policy, Australia has detained asylum seekers who arrive by boat in camps on Manus Island and Nauru, a small Pacific nation. | Under a controversial policy, Australia has detained asylum seekers who arrive by boat in camps on Manus Island and Nauru, a small Pacific nation. |
Australia shut down the Manus Island centre after a PNG court ruled it was unconstitutional, urging asylum seekers to move to transit centres elsewhere on the island. | Australia shut down the Manus Island centre after a PNG court ruled it was unconstitutional, urging asylum seekers to move to transit centres elsewhere on the island. |
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirmed a police operation was under way on Thursday. | Immigration Minister Peter Dutton confirmed a police operation was under way on Thursday. |
"The Australian taxpayers have paid about $10 million for a new facility and we want people to move," he told Sydney radio station 2GB. | "The Australian taxpayers have paid about $10 million for a new facility and we want people to move," he told Sydney radio station 2GB. |
"Obviously, it is in the end an issue for PNG police and the authorities up there but there is an operation involving police at the centre this morning." | "Obviously, it is in the end an issue for PNG police and the authorities up there but there is an operation involving police at the centre this morning." |
One refugee, Abdul Aziz Adam, said a large amount of police officers had entered the compound. | One refugee, Abdul Aziz Adam, said a large amount of police officers had entered the compound. |
"They had a really big microphone in their hands and started telling people 'you have to move'," he told the BBC, describing the police action as aggressive. | "They had a really big microphone in their hands and started telling people 'you have to move'," he told the BBC, describing the police action as aggressive. |
He said about 420 asylum seekers had gathered in one section of the centre, many of them linking arms, but he insisted they would "not respond" in any way. | He said about 420 asylum seekers had gathered in one section of the centre, many of them linking arms, but he insisted they would "not respond" in any way. |
The men have spent more than three weeks without electricity and running water, while food supplies have dwindled. | |
They have refused to leave because of fears they will be attacked in the local community. Rights groups say that asylum seekers have been attacked in the past. | They have refused to leave because of fears they will be attacked in the local community. Rights groups say that asylum seekers have been attacked in the past. |
Australia has repeatedly said that the alternative accommodation is ready. | |
However, the UN's refugee agency said on Tuesday that housing remained "under construction", was inadequately secured, and lacked "the most basic services" such as a medical care. | |
"We were there and saw for ourselves that they are trying to complete the site as quickly as possible," said deputy regional representative Nai Jit Lam. | |
Canberra has steadfastly ruled out allowing the men into Australia, arguing it would prompt further human trafficking and lead to deaths at sea. | Canberra has steadfastly ruled out allowing the men into Australia, arguing it would prompt further human trafficking and lead to deaths at sea. |