UN warns of crisis brewing in Australia’s abandoned Papua New Guinea detention centre
Sydney — The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said Australia must take immediate action to stop an "unfolding humanitarian emergency" that sees 600 asylum seekers barricaded inside an abandoned detention centre in Papua New Guinea without food or running water. The detainees in the Manus Island Centre have for two days defied attempts by Australia and Papua New Guinea to close the camp, saying they fear violent reprisals from the local community if they are moved to other "transit centres". With food all but exhausted, many of the men are beginning to show the ill-effects of two days without adequate nourishment, an environment the UN refugee commissioner said Australia must urgently resolve with Papua New Guinea. "Australia remains responsible for the wellbeing of all those moved to Papua New Guinea until adequate, long-term solutions outside the country are found," the UN body said on Thursday. The Manus centre has been a key part of Australia’s controversial "Sovereign Borders" ...
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