Manus Regional Processing Centre not illegal

Papua New Guinea Parliament heard last week, the operation of the Manus Regional Processing Centre itself is NOT illegal.

It was the detention of of the person accommodated there that was found to be unconstitutional.

Minster for Foreign Affairs Rimbink Pato provided this response following series of questions raised by Member for Rabaul Dr Allan Marat regarding the current status of the Processing enter after the Supreme Court ruling last year.

Dr Allan Marat wanted to know if the facility is illegal, as it is still continuing operation and as such, it is a direct contempt of the Supreme Court .

The Supreme Court on the 26th of April last year found that the detention of the transferees from Australia at the regional processing center was contrary to their rights and freedom under the PNG constitution including the right of personal liberty to rectify the unconstitutionality of their detention.

Rimbink Pato said the transferees were provided their constitutional rights and freedom by allowing them to leave the processing centre at will and like any other persons to be subject to PNG laws.

Pato further reiterated concerns on the transferees rights and freedom and here is no actual content of the supreme court orders on the matter.

NBC News / PNG Today / Photo - Flickr Creative commons