Refugees safety not guaranteed warns Manus Governor

The safety of refugees at the Regional Processing Centre is not guaranteed outside the facility, warned Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin.

Benjamin questioned in Parliament what measures will the National Government take to address the social and law and order problem affecting the island province by the people being housed to be processed for their status.              

He said with the Supreme Court decision many refuges roam the streets at night looking for local women and also homebrew have become a big problem.

 “Guarantee blo mi lo safety blo ol pinis, Mahn I hambak em paitim em tasol (I will not guarantee their safety, if any refugee is misbehaving will be fought at by locals,” Benjamin said.     

Foreign Affairs Minister Rimbink Pato said: “Acting Chief Migration officer will be travelling to Manus to see that any orders from PNG Immigration and Court is not breached and also in the best spirit of agreement we have with Australia and UN Refugees laws.”

He also told Parliament today that all non-nationals committing any crime will be dealt under PNG laws.

Picture courtesy of sbs.com.au 

Author: 
Charles Yapumi