Friday, January 16, 2015

Australia 'will not take' Manus Island asylum protesters

                 Manus Island detention centre. Picture from Refugee Action Coalition/Reuters
Australia has said it will not admit into the country any asylum seekers who are reportedly on hunger strike at an offshore detention centre.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said cases of self-harm had been reported at Manus Island, Papua New Guinea (PNG).
He said "non-compliant behaviour" appeared to have been encouraged by detainee "ring-leaders" and outsiders.

The policy of detaining asylum seekers offshore - intended as a deterrent - has been criticised by rights groups.
Australia sends all asylum seekers arriving by boat to offshore camps in PNG and the Pacific territory of Nauru for detention and processing.
The Manus Island centre was the scene of deadly riots last February, when local residents entered the facility and clashed with detainees. One asylum seeker was killed and at least 70 were hurt in the violence.
'Very bad situation'
Hundreds of asylum seekers have entered a fourth day of hunger strikes to protest conditions at the centre, rights groups say.
On Friday, Mr Dutton acknowledged there had been cases of self-harm at the centre, but said no one had died. The minister, who was appointed last month, told reporters that he was worried about the "volatile" situation.
However, he said the actions of the detainees would not change government policy.

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