Papua New Guinea implicated in UN torture report
PAPUA New Guinea has been accused with Australia of breaching the international convention against torture in regards to asylum seekers on Manus.
The report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture found that Australia’s asylum seeker policies had breached the international convention against torture.
The report tabled in Geneva at the UN Human Rights Council yesterday was into offshore detention on Manus prepared by UN special rapporteur on torture Juan Mendez.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato were in Australia yesterday and could not be reached for comment.
But a spokesman said the PNG Government “has, and will continue to do everything to ensure the asylum seekers on Manus receive the best care possible”.
“The Government does not condone torture or any human rights violation anywhere.”
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters yesterday Australians were sick of being lectured by the UN. Australia and PNG signed an agreement in July 2013 to set a regional processing centre for asylum seekers on Manus island.
There had reports of violence at the centre, with the death of an Iranian refugee last year during a clash with security officials.
Australia has clarified that it would not allow any refugees on Manus to enter the country.
All refugees wanting to be re-settled will have to apply to the PNG Government. PNG Today/The National
The report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture found that Australia’s asylum seeker policies had breached the international convention against torture.
The report tabled in Geneva at the UN Human Rights Council yesterday was into offshore detention on Manus prepared by UN special rapporteur on torture Juan Mendez.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Rimbink Pato were in Australia yesterday and could not be reached for comment.
But a spokesman said the PNG Government “has, and will continue to do everything to ensure the asylum seekers on Manus receive the best care possible”.
“The Government does not condone torture or any human rights violation anywhere.”
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters yesterday Australians were sick of being lectured by the UN. Australia and PNG signed an agreement in July 2013 to set a regional processing centre for asylum seekers on Manus island.
There had reports of violence at the centre, with the death of an Iranian refugee last year during a clash with security officials.
Australia has clarified that it would not allow any refugees on Manus to enter the country.
All refugees wanting to be re-settled will have to apply to the PNG Government. PNG Today/The National
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