Asylum Seekers: Amnesty International Calls For Manus Island Probe As Tony Abbott Defends His Government
Amnesty International has called on the Australian government to investigate the death of one asylum seeker on Manus Island, including dozens more who sustained serious injuries. Australian authorities have detained over 1,000 asylum seekers described as "shameful" processing center in a Papua New Guinea island.
Graham Thorn, a spokesman for Amnesty International Australia's Refugee, said the organization is concerned by recent events in Manus Island detention facility. He added Amnesty International has called for an immediate and independent investigation to know more about what occured and how such a tragic death came about.
According to reports, Australia and Papua New Guinea are both responsible for the safety and protection of all asylum seekers in the detention center under a formal agreement between both governments.
Amnesty International said the death of the asylum seeker was a result of the illegal policy of offshore processing of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Both countries should ensure that private contractors and government officials will be cautious in dealing with asylum seekers. The use of force must only be observed as last resort.
The group said more than 1,200 people have been detained indefinitely in Manus Island under alleged harsh conditions with no word about their future.
Tony Abbott: Australia Will Not Succumb To Pressure
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended the actions of the government authorities in Manus Island. He said a senior immigration official is already in the facility to manage the ongoing investigation.
The violence that erupted in Manus Island led to the death of one Iranian man and injured 77 other asylum seekers.
In a report by ABC, Abbott said Australian officials in Manus Island have "acted swiftly" to secure the facility and ensure people were given food and sufficient care. The Prime Minister said the government will not back down on the issue of people smuggling. He reiterated Australia will not "succumb to pressure or moral blackmail."
The Australia Greens criticized the Coalition government and Abbott for turning back a boatload of asylum seekers with young children reportedly onboard. Asylum seekers were sent back to Indonesian waters in an Australian lifeboat.
According to reports, the asylum seeker boat was close to Christmas Island when the Australian Navy intercepted it. The people on board were reportedly from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.