MoU on asylum seekers unlawful and inhumane

THE governments of PNG and Australia recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Russia to allow boat people to be detained in Manus while awaiting the processing of their refugee status.
As we would expect from our 2003 experience, these people will comprise men, women and children.
In 2003, there were 356 people; 232 adults and 124 children under 17 years.
We all know that Nauru and PNG are not the destination of choice for these asylum seekers.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees is deliberately staying away from these developments.
It will only monitor the situation at arms length.
Is this a responsible attitude?
Has the United Nations no concern at all about the welfare and well-being of these people?
What about their human rights both in Australia and the host countries?
The Catholic Bishops Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands had stated last year that a more humane response to asylum seekers is onshore processing in Australia, not in Manus.
Whilst Australia has passed a legislation to authorise its actions, what have PNG and Nauru done?
Both our prime minister and the attorney-general assume that accepting asylum seekers in Manus is legally compliant, but it is not.
The MoU is only an understanding between two countries.
However, PNG has no concern or control over the welfare of the asylum seekers.
It does not make sense that PNG overlooks and ignores the human rights of these desperate, vulnerable people.
PNG cannot rely on the Migration Act to allow these people in as it does not apply to them.
PNG should also legislate to accept them into the country and it should be fully compliant with the Constitution.
As it is, PNG has succumbed to the powerful influence of money to enter into an unlawful and inhumane deal.

Paul Harricknen
Port Moresby