​700 Manus refugees to relocate

Ninety percent of refugees in detention on Manus Island are genuine.

Deputy Chief Migration Officer, Esther Gaegaming, said the Regional Processing Centre is holding men from 20 different countries.

Gaegaming said 700 men have been granted refugee status.

“The refugees have been provided resettlement in the country, under the agreement with the Government of Australia; of course there are some of them who do not want to settle.

“Non-refugees we will have to return them (to their home country),” Gaegaming said.      

There were 861 men living at the centre as of late January, according to the most recent statistics from Australia's immigration department.

The centre is run by the Australian Government and will close on October 31.  

Author: 
Charles Yapumi