Refugees told to ‘return with dignity’

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Refugees in Port Moresby have been told to voluntarily return to Manus Island with dignity – or be “compelled” to go back.

Three groups residing in the Papua New Guinea capital were last week “rounded up” by immigration authorities.

The first group consisted of refugees who were in Port Moresby for medical treatment who had since been discharged.

The second contained men who had earlier agreed to return to their countries of origin but had since declined.

The third were refugees attmpting to resettle in Port Moresby who have reportedly “disengaged” from employment opportunities.

It was unclear how many refugees were being targeted, but between 100 and 200 men are thought to have been living in various lodges and motels across the capital.

About three dozen men were forcibly returned to Manus from Port Moresby this month, some of whom had been receiving medical treatment yet were said to have unresolved health issues.

Others had failed to resettle in PNG due to what activists said was a lack of support such as welfare, jobs or trauma counselling.

Their return prompted a reminder from the journalist and refugee Behrouz Boochani that refugee accommodation on the island was already over crowded.

Asylum seekers who changed their minds about returning home had likely recently received a Positive Deportation Risk Assessment.

Even though the PNG government had not granted them refugee status, the assessment acknowledged they would not be deported due to the “real risk” of torture or death if returned to the countries they fled.

The refugees have all recieved a latter from the Immigration Authority informing them servicing notice that they must return to “designated relocation centres in Manus”.

The notice concludes by saying: “ We suggest you seriously consider your situation and volunteer to retun to Manus with some dignity.”

- RNZI