Baki to discuss future of asylum seekers

Police Commissioner Gari Baki will meet with the heads of relevant government department and agencies to discuss the future of the asylum seekers living on Manus Island.

Baki said if the Regional Processing Centre is not shut down soon, as ordered by the Supreme Court, there may be serious law and order implications for Manus.

His comment follows the death of 28-year-old Iranian, Hamed Shamshiripou, who was found hanging from the branch of a tree at East Lorengau.

Currently the body is at the morgue at International Medical Health Service Centre (IMHS) at the Manus Regional Processing Centre. A full autopsy is expected to be carried out soon.

Baki ruled out any foul play and said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the Iranian, who was known to have previously attempted to commit suicide.

He said he will meet with the heads of relevant PNG government departments, including the PNG Chief Migration Officer, to discuss the way forward for the 800-plus asylum seekers on Manus Island.

Author: 
Cedric Patjole