Refugees not seeking asylum in PNG

 IT was mind-boggling to read that the government has taken another step to amend the Constitution to legalise the asylum deal (The National, Aug 7). 

We all know that initially, the Manus detention centre was set up by Australia with the permission of the PNG government to establish a processing centre for the refugees. 

In that arrangement, the refugees were to be brought to Manus for a temporary stay to have UNHCR and other responsible bodies determine their status.

Genuine refugees were to be brought to Australia for settlement arrangements by its immigration. 

That is all and no other secondary conditions or attachments were set. 

Now that the number of refugees has increased, it may be a barrage now. 

Both governments must know that the refugees have taken unimaginable risks crossing oceans  to settle in Australia and not PNG. 

That fundamental fact must not be ignored and downplayed by authorities in both countries. 

Had they intended to make PNG their destination, they would have come to our shores. 

The authorities must handle this issue cautiously and with due care on humanitarian grounds.

This is to ensure that the primary wishes of the refugees are observed. 

The issue of permanent resettlement of the refugees is definitely not an option for consideration. 

Thus, the issue of amendments to the Constitution is also not permissible now or in the future. 

Let us consider how best to handle them at the detention centre. Have them interrogated by humanitarian watch groups to consider their eligibility to reside in Australia. 

Papua New Guineans must not press the panic button thinking that housing refugess here will result in terrorist attacks or an invasion by non-Christian religions.

Australia must also realise that the refugees have not come to seek permanent refuge in PNG. 

Serve them on humanitarian grounds and make sure they are settled where they want. 

Guise Kola

Port Moresby