Asylum Seekers within the Processing Center on Manus Island looking out to the public
By FIDELIS SUKINA
One person is dead and
77 others are left injured after a protest turned nasty at the offshore asylum
processing center on Manus Island.
Speaking on a live press
conference yesterday on Australian Broadcasting Network (ABC 24 News
Channel) Australian Foreign Minister Scott Morrison said the protests
started at 9: 45 pm and tensions rose thereafter.
“The protests started on
the 17th at Oscar Compound with 50 to 70 transferees protesting
in relation to transferees detained in the previous night at the Lorengau
Police station” Morrison said
He said the
demonstration ended but tensions were high as the transferees threatened
further action if the arrested were not released
“The demonstration
started again at 9:45 pm with the transferees pulling down internal fences
between the compounds and moved on pulling the fence beside the road and moving
outside” Mr Morrison added
He said that G4S
were forced to take action driving back the transferees with shields trying to
contain the situation.
“At around 12:00am the
G4S withdrew and Police took over and calmed the situation at around 2am” Mr
Morrison said
Mr Morrison added that
100 extra security personnel were on standby to join the 130 that were deployed
on the 1st to the 3rd this month to beef up
security.
He also added that PNG
Prime Minister Peter O’Neil had contacted his Australian counterpart Tony Abott
and confirmed their on-going support of the offshore resettlement in PNG.
“I will be sending my
Secretary to PNG to meet with the government and Prime Minister Peter O’Neil”
Mr Morrison added
He said rumors that the
processing center was infiltrated by outsiders were not true and the PNG police
were still to investigate.
Morrison cleared any
speculation of the involvement by G4S and the Royal Papua New Guinean
Constabulary till further investigation.
“It is reported that 2
shots were fired but not toward any individuals and there is no suggestion to
my knowledge that the incident had anything to do with G4S staff”
“Police investigations
are matters of the PNG government as the Prime Minister Peter O’Neil has made
clear and as appropriate because these things happened within their
jurisdictions” Mr Morrison said
He said the safety
of the transferees were guaranteed but if only they remain in the perimeter of
their jurisdiction
“I can guarantee their
safety if they remain in the perimeters and act cooperatively towards those who
are trying to provide support and accommodation”
“When people engage in
violent acts and in destructive behaviors, and go outside the fence well they
will be subjected to law enforcement as applies in PNG”
“But if they
cooperate and conduct themselves appropriately in the center yes I can”
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