United Nations raise concerns on the welfare of Refugees on Manus Island

Refugees on Manus Island protesting. Photo: SBS

The United Nations Country Team in Papua New Guinea remains gravely concerned for the welfare of refugees, asylum-seekers, and other related categories of persons, on Manus Island.
We urge the Governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea to uphold their obligations under international human rights and refugee laws to respect the basic human rights of all persons concerned.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is monitoring the situation on the ground on Manus Island, and have found that:
 Persons currently remaining at the Regional Processing Centre do not have sufficient food, water, electricity,
sanitation, and security;
 No interpreters remain on Manus Island. This means refugees who cannot speak English face challenges in
communicating and accessing services;
 There are insufficient medical services available for persons who need specialized support particularly crisis
emergency health services and mental health care support.
We are aware that there are conflicting reports about the adequate functioning of the newly constructed accommodation facilities.
The UN system urges the authorities to allow media and international humanitarian
actors immediate access to inspect these facilities in full transparency, and to continue to refrain from the
use of force against persons remaining in the Regional Processing Centre.
We stand ready to assist both Governments to find a durable and effective solutions for those persons acutely affected
by the closure of the Centre.