PNG court stops Manus Island Human Rights Inquiry

An inquiry established by a judge to look into allegations of Human Rights abuses at the Manus Asylum Detention Centre has been stopped.

A three-men Supreme Court in Waigani, Port Moresby declared the proceedings void this afternoon, a year after it was heard.

Justice David Cannings had initiated the inquiry last year, using Section 57 of the Constitution which enforces basic human rights.

While citing technical issues of the law, the High Court ruled that the use of this particular section was wrong and unConstitutional.

Justice Cannings had visited the centre, called on various authorities and transferees to testify before him on allegations of abuses happening at the facility.

However, the State, aggrieved over the way the inquiry was conducted asked the judge to disqualify himself after he appointed a doctor friend to conduct medical checks and reports on the asylum seekers as well as the center without knowledge of parties involved.

Justice Cannings refused the State's application which resulted in an appeal at the high court with the decision handed down a year after it was heard.