The Manus refugee saga

THE Pacific is probably one of the most readily available places in the world where governments of prosperous nations think they can exert their dominance without taking into consideration the longer-term humanitarian dislocation their policies would wrought upon the indigenous communities.
In the 21st century, the great powers of the world continue to see and regard the Pacific as a suitable and spacious domain in which they must tread.
What happens on the island of Manus today will forever be etched in the memory – and perhaps the conscience – of those governments that have played a significant role in the establishment of the refugee processing centre on the island.
The international refugee crisis which ultimately brought the governments of PNG and Australia into the bargain has been spurred by international political conflicts elsewhere in the world which are essentially beyond the control of the two governments.
So, we assume that the centre was established in good faith.
We believe that it was and is Australia’s intention to deal amicably and diplomatically with an international crisis without upsetting or compromising her immigration laws. Both the Australian and PNG governments have an obligation to protect their respective country’s frontiers against external threats.
Do they also have an obligation to safeguard the welfare of the refugees and detainees who are housed on the island? Building a processing centre in the middle of nowhere without making adequate provisions for the safety and wellbeing of the asylum seekers can amount to a violation of human rights.
Asylum seekers who are confined to a prison-like facility for a protracted period of time are highly susceptible to stress and stress-induced disorders.
Although I do not condone the recent unacceptable behaviour of certain refugees on the island, their behaviour should be carefully evaluated in relation to their present psychological state of being.

Paul Waugla Wii
Demang, Simbu