We find it unacceptable that asylum seekers have been taken to Manus Island and placed in a detention centre.

Asylum seekers in the detention facility feel like they are being criminalised by being sent to an island.  The asylum seekers, including children, are depressed and lack basic facilities.  The hygiene facilities are reported to be inadequate and there is a risk of Malaria.  The conditions and uncertain future has led to several suicide attempts.  Detainees have protested at their treatment but to no avail.  Campaigners are calling the camps, concentration camps because of the conditions and treatment of the asylum seekers.

They have been put in Papua New Guinea and are illegally and indefinitely detained.  The asylum seekers have been denied immigration status by the government of Papua New Guinea.  This is a collaborative effort of oppression between the Australian government and Papua New Guinea.  
Chair of IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh said, “This is a shocking case of abuse that borders on the criminal.  I cannot understand how people seeking Asylum in Australia can be taken to Papua New Guinea to be imprisoned in a detention facility.  These peoples ‘human rights are being abused.”

Notes to editors

• There are around 40 asylum seekers being held of Iranian, Iraqi and Afghani origin
• The leader of the opposition in Papua New Guinea has commenced legal proceedings against the government regarding this issue
• For media enquiries please email media@ihrc.org or call 020 8904 4222

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“And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who say: Our Lord! Cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper.”

Holy Qur’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75

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