More refugees sent back

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Thirteen more refugees detained in Papua New Guinea by Australia have been returned to Manus Island from Port Moresby.

They were flown back on Thursday by the PNG immigration authority after spending months in a motel receiving medical treatment. Some of the men’s health issues had not been resolved, a refugee remaining at the motel said.

The 13 flew out after another group of 13 men were returned to the island on Thursday, who had unsuccessfully tried to resettle in PNG. Earlier this month, about a dozen men were returned to Manus from the motel, who were also said to have unresolved health problems.

Meanwhile, two refugees on the island have attempted suicide this week, according to the journalist and Manus Island refugee Behrouz Boochani.

He said the men urgently needed psychiatric care not available on the island.