Manus refugees

Manus refugees without supplies due to roadblock

Since yesterday, heavy vehicles have been used to barricade the road to prevent service providers from entering.

The United Nations refugee agency said the roadblock stemmed from ongoing opposition from local landowners to Australia contracting the company JDA Wokman to provide caseworker support services.

The agency said service providers had also been prevented from entering the two other refugee facilities on the island.

The Kurdish journalist and refugee Behreouz Boochani said staff from the healthcare provider IHMS have also been unable to pass the roadblock.

Aust neglect on Manus 'undermining' Pacific development

In an open letter to the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the opposition leader Bill Shorten, the group, which includes doctors, nurses and teachers based in Solomon Islands, said Australia's reputation in the region had been damaged.

"The Australian government's treatment of asylum seekers on Manus Island is undermining our work and damaging Australia's reputation.

Aust govt forces overturn of supportive Manus vote

The house was debating a Senate recommendation the Government accept the offer.

New Zealand has, for several years, offered to take up to 150 of the refugees - an offer Canberra has always spurned, citing concerns the refugees would have easy access to Australia.

Daniel Webb from the Human Rights Law Centre said the House got it right on Monday.

Manus refugees deprived of beds and medical care

About 400 refugees were forced to give up their three-week protest last week by Papua New Guinea police, who moved the men to three facilities in the island's main town.

Sudanese refugee Abdul Aziz Adam is one of about 25 men unable to find a bed in the new facilities that pictures show is still under construction, despite Australian government claims to the contrary.

"For myself it’s been 48 hours I couldn't find a place to sleep," Mr Adam said on Sunday.

PNG police say Manus action peaceful - refugees disagree

   

They were there to try and remove the about 400 refugees who have refused to move to new camps at nearly Lorengau.

The police, soldiers and immigration officials entered the site early today and Mr Baki said it was a peaceful exercise with 50 inmates leaving.

He said police are doing the best they can for the refugees but they remain stubborn and defiant and are putting huge pressure on the island's community and its police resources.

US expects Manus refugees will be resettled

Fifty-four refugees from Australian offshore detention on Manus and Nauru arrived in the US in September, under a deal to resettle up to 1250 refugees.

The embassy said this was the first group to be resettled and that all refugee cases proceed with different timeframes.

It said the White House confirmed in January that the US would honor the arrangement with Australia to consider resettling refugees from Nauru and Papua New Guinea, who are of special interest to the United Nations refugee agency due to their high level of vulnerability.

PNG: Australia must support Manus refugees

Australia has held asylum seekers on PNG's Manus Island since 2012. The camp is scheduled to close on Tuesday.

PNG says refugees will not be forced to stay in the nation against their will - while those without refugee status cannot stay either.

Canberra has consistently said that none will be transferred to Australia.

Australia controversially holds refugees and asylum seekers who arrive by boat in centres on PNG's Manus Island and the Pacific nation of Nauru - arguing that it prevents deaths at sea and discourages people smugglers.

Australia urged to consider police help for Manus refugees

Australia holds refugees and asylum seekers arriving by boat on PNG's Manus Island and the Pacific nation of Nauru.

The Manus center is due to close next week. Australia has set up alternative accommodation in a nearby town.

A Human Rights Watch report said asylum seekers risked suffering "unchecked violence" in PNG after the closure.

The group, which visited the island in September, said refugees and asylum seekers had been attacked by local men "sometimes armed with sticks, rocks, knives, or screwdrivers".

Australia urged to consider police help for Manus refugees

Australia holds refugees and asylum seekers arriving by boat on PNG's Manus Island and the Pacific nation of Nauru.

The Manus centre is due to close next week. Australia has set up alternative accommodation in a nearby town.

A Human Rights Watch report said asylum seekers risked suffering "unchecked violence" in PNG after the closure.

The group, which visited the island in September, said refugees and asylum seekers had been attacked by local men "sometimes armed with sticks, rocks, knives, or screwdrivers".

Knight: Move refugees, asylum seekers out!

He has called on the Australian Government to return those allegedly involved in the rape of a local, for investigations.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over the weekend announced the one-off refugee resettlement deal between Australia and the US for people on Manus Island and Nauru to be moved to the United States.

Turnbull, alongside Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, over the weekend said the deal would only apply to those currently on Nauru and Manus Island.