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Manus Island: a troubled history Manus Island: a troubled history
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The offshore immigration detention centre on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, which is set to be expanded under the federal government's new asylum seeker policy, is one of the most controversial processing centres in the Australian network.The offshore immigration detention centre on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island, which is set to be expanded under the federal government's new asylum seeker policy, is one of the most controversial processing centres in the Australian network.
High rates of depression and anxiety among detainees, woefully under-resourced medical facilities and a lack of access for human rights organisations are just some of the criticisms that have been levelled at the detention centre.High rates of depression and anxiety among detainees, woefully under-resourced medical facilities and a lack of access for human rights organisations are just some of the criticisms that have been levelled at the detention centre.
Manus Island opened in 2001 along with another facility on Nauru under the government of John Howard as part of the "Pacific Solution" response to large numbers of people seeking asylum by boat. Among the 1,637 asylum seekers processed between the two centres were the 433 passengers from the Tampa.Manus Island opened in 2001 along with another facility on Nauru under the government of John Howard as part of the "Pacific Solution" response to large numbers of people seeking asylum by boat. Among the 1,637 asylum seekers processed between the two centres were the 433 passengers from the Tampa.
Both centres were heavily criticised for the conditions asylum seekers lived in and the lack of access given to human rights organisations. The Australian human rights commission was denied assistance by the department of immigration in accessing Manus for inspection.Both centres were heavily criticised for the conditions asylum seekers lived in and the lack of access given to human rights organisations. The Australian human rights commission was denied assistance by the department of immigration in accessing Manus for inspection.
Kevin Rudd closed both centres in 2008, by which time no asylum seeker had been held at the Manus Island centre since the last refugee Aladdin Sisalem left in 2004. Sisalem was the sole detainee for 10 months at a cost to Australia of $250,000 a month.Kevin Rudd closed both centres in 2008, by which time no asylum seeker had been held at the Manus Island centre since the last refugee Aladdin Sisalem left in 2004. Sisalem was the sole detainee for 10 months at a cost to Australia of $250,000 a month.
In November 2011, the Gillard government reopened the centre – to the outrage of Amnesty International and refugee groups – with 19 Iranian and Sri Lankan asylum seekers flown in from Christmas Island with federal police officers, Department of Immigration staff and medical staff.In November 2011, the Gillard government reopened the centre – to the outrage of Amnesty International and refugee groups – with 19 Iranian and Sri Lankan asylum seekers flown in from Christmas Island with federal police officers, Department of Immigration staff and medical staff.
In April 2013, ABC TV's Four Corners revealed a desperately under-resourced medical facility with no places for children, according to a doctor who worked in the centre on behalf of International Health and Medical Services (IHMS). At the time, the Australian government was paying IMHS $2.5m a month to provide health services for the Manus Island and Nauru centres.In April 2013, ABC TV's Four Corners revealed a desperately under-resourced medical facility with no places for children, according to a doctor who worked in the centre on behalf of International Health and Medical Services (IHMS). At the time, the Australian government was paying IMHS $2.5m a month to provide health services for the Manus Island and Nauru centres.
Gillard and the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill, reached an agreement in late May to begin a tender process for construction to make the centre permanent. The government wanted to increase the capacity to hold 600 asylum seekers, including families, and 200 staff.Gillard and the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill, reached an agreement in late May to begin a tender process for construction to make the centre permanent. The government wanted to increase the capacity to hold 600 asylum seekers, including families, and 200 staff.
In July 2013, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees released a damning report on the state of the centre, finding that every asylum seeker housed there displayed signs of depression and anxiety.In July 2013, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees released a damning report on the state of the centre, finding that every asylum seeker housed there displayed signs of depression and anxiety.
The most recent transfer of asylum seekers to Manus Island was in July 2013, with 18 single adult males moved under escort from Australian federal police. It was the 18th transfer since the re-opening.The most recent transfer of asylum seekers to Manus Island was in July 2013, with 18 single adult males moved under escort from Australian federal police. It was the 18th transfer since the re-opening.
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