The Manus situation stepped up another notch Friday afternoon (10 November) when refugees’ tanks and water bins were emptied by police and immigration officers.
Officials entered Oscar and Delta compounds of the Manus detention and began emptying the tanks and turning over the water bins being used by refugees to collect rain water the last 10 days.
This has led to condemnation by the Refugee Action Coalition.
“Everyone in the tropics knows how precious water is and how quickly dehydration can become a serious medical issue. Denied water and with medical help sometimes delayed for hours, refugee lives are being put at risk,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition.
“We are again calling for the immigration minister to end the siege and restore food, water and services.”
It was also reported that the officers systematically removed tents that the refugees have used for cooking and for sleeping outside to avoid the unbearable heat.
“More perimeter fencing is being removed, leaving the refugees even more exposed to possible attack,” says Rintoul.
“The siege on Manus, the gratuitous use of state power against defenseless individuals symbolises everything that sees the (Australian) government relentlessly sink in the opinion polls.”
However, the PNG Government maintains alternative accommodation sites for the refugees and non-refugees offer safe, reasonable and good quality accommodation, with access to basic services including medical.
(Tents being removed at the compounds on Friday, Nov 10)