Court to enforce Manus shut down

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The PNG Supreme Court wants to enforce its ruling that the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island is illegal.

About 900 of the so called “boat people” are still residing at the processing centre on Manus, where they were sent by Australia.

The court has asked lawyers representing detainees and the PNG government to apply for Consequential Orders that will enforce the ruling.

One of the detainees’ lawyers, Ben Lomai said he will propose a set of consequential orders.

“First of all we are seeking a release and transfer of all the asylum seekers back to Australia within the next 30 to 60 days. Second, is that the compensation issue which basically deals with the right to personal liberty should proceed straight on to assessment if the parties could not agree on a figure.”

Ben Lomai said the Supreme Court will reconvene on Tuesday, June 21.

- RNZI