MP: Asylum centre talks must follow laws

THE Office of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has said that any co-operation with Australia on the reopening of the Manus Island processing centre would be done under strict compliance with Papua New Guinea laws.
In a statement, minister Rimbink Pato said: “PNG is a sovereign country and any co-operation with Australia on this issue will be subject to strict compliance with the spirit and intent of our laws.”
He said the paramount consideration for PNG was to provide a humanitarian solution to a crisis that had already caused major loss of life and would continue to do so.
“Compassion is at the heart of our cultural values. It is the view of this government that there is no conflict with our cultural, human rights obligations or our laws to cooperate with Australia to provide accommodation to refugees so that they can be processed.”
This would involve identification, care and that their applications for immigration to Australia could be carefully considered and processed as quickly as possible.
“PNG is aware that the processing facility on Manus Island is being reopened in response to the Australian immigration offices nearest to their country of residence.”
He said PNG would respect the policies of Australia and would help Australia.
“However, its role in this instance is to ensure that any person within its geographical borders, including any refugee at Manus Island, was treated with dignity, respect and compassion and in accordance with the obligation imposed under international law.
“There will be close supervision of the immigration process and the treatment of all refugees.
“We will be receiving regular reports on the status of each refugee and this information will be shared with UNCHR.”
The statement said that while this issue would generate debate, it has urged “protagonists to consider that PNG was acting in good faith to provide a humanitarian response to a very difficult situation”.
It said it was not restricting the liberty of the refugees without just cause and would not be a party to any poor treatment.