More SL asylum seekers sent to Manus Island

Saturday, 1 December 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A group of 28 mostly Sri Lankan and Iranian asylum seekers has landed on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island under the Australian Government policy.

A second batch of asylum seekers has landed on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island as part of the Australian Government’s border protection policy.

Already 19 asylum seekers are being housed at a temporary processing facility on Papua Nuinea’s Lombrum naval base in Manus Province. Landowners have repeatedly threatened to protest against the re-establishment of the Howard-era detention facility amid demands for compensation for use of traditional land.

Some groups on Manus are angry security firm G4S has been contracted to provide security for the site.

Amnesty International has heavily criticised the Australian Government’s Nauru facility.

Immigration Minister of Australia Chris Bowen rejected the criticism, saying the human rights watchdog had preconceptions about the asylum-seeker policy.