THE National Executive Council or Cabinet has
given Australia the green light to reopen the Manus regional processing
centre for boat people seeking asylum and citizenship in Australia.
The Peter O’Neill-Dion Cabinet made the decision four days ago on Thursday following a formal request by Prime Minister Julia Gillard on behalf of the Australian Government.
The boat people, mainly from Indonesia, have created a major problem for Australia, and Canberra has been trying for years to find a solution to what has become a major human tragedy.
Many of the boat people - men, women and children - have died trying to seek a better life in Australia. They have been detained in facilities in Australia and there have been allegations of mistreatment of these people by Australian authorities.
The problem of asylum seekers or refugees is an international issue and dates back to biblical times - when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt ruled by a tyrant Pharaoh to flee from slavery and death to “a land of milk and honey” – and even before then.
While some Papua New Guineans may argue against the Cabinet decision, there are equally strong arguments why Prime Minister O’Neill and his Government took the decision as it did.
Firstly, PNG is a member of the United Nations and it has international obligations under international laws and conventions. One of these is the treatment of boat people or refugees. Bilateral agreements between Australia, Indonesia and PNG will also come onto play here.
The problem of boat people is not Australia’s alone. It affects every country in the region. PNG, Australia, New Zealand and the other Melanesian Spearhead and South Pacific Forum countries are not only legally but morally obligated to do what thay can to help.
In this regard, Prime Minister O’Neill and the Government must be commended for taking the lead to help resolve what has been, and continues to be, a serious international matter.
Many questions remain to be answered, questions like: What are the roles of the Australian and PNG Governments and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees? What benefits are there for the people and government of Manus in particular and PNG as a whole?
One thing we know is that the processing centre will be funded under a seperate funding arrangement between Canberra and Port Moresby, over and above the current aid or Overseas Development Assistance package between the two countries.
This is according to Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato, who has has been tasked to take the key role and lead the PNG negotiation team and things will be firmed up after Prime Minister O’Neill’s meeting with his counterpart Julia Gillard in the Cook Islands.
Whatever the final solution is for the boat people or refugees, one thing is very clear: this matter, essentially is Australia’s responsibility, according to UNHCR regional representative Richard Towle. “Australia may choose to transfer physically people to other jurisdictions, but we believe that under international law, very clearly, Australia is not absolved of its legal responsibilities to protect people through all aspects of the processing and solutions,” Mr Towle said.
Post-Courier The Peter O’Neill-Dion Cabinet made the decision four days ago on Thursday following a formal request by Prime Minister Julia Gillard on behalf of the Australian Government.
The boat people, mainly from Indonesia, have created a major problem for Australia, and Canberra has been trying for years to find a solution to what has become a major human tragedy.
Many of the boat people - men, women and children - have died trying to seek a better life in Australia. They have been detained in facilities in Australia and there have been allegations of mistreatment of these people by Australian authorities.
The problem of asylum seekers or refugees is an international issue and dates back to biblical times - when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt ruled by a tyrant Pharaoh to flee from slavery and death to “a land of milk and honey” – and even before then.
While some Papua New Guineans may argue against the Cabinet decision, there are equally strong arguments why Prime Minister O’Neill and his Government took the decision as it did.
Firstly, PNG is a member of the United Nations and it has international obligations under international laws and conventions. One of these is the treatment of boat people or refugees. Bilateral agreements between Australia, Indonesia and PNG will also come onto play here.
The problem of boat people is not Australia’s alone. It affects every country in the region. PNG, Australia, New Zealand and the other Melanesian Spearhead and South Pacific Forum countries are not only legally but morally obligated to do what thay can to help.
In this regard, Prime Minister O’Neill and the Government must be commended for taking the lead to help resolve what has been, and continues to be, a serious international matter.
Many questions remain to be answered, questions like: What are the roles of the Australian and PNG Governments and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees? What benefits are there for the people and government of Manus in particular and PNG as a whole?
One thing we know is that the processing centre will be funded under a seperate funding arrangement between Canberra and Port Moresby, over and above the current aid or Overseas Development Assistance package between the two countries.
This is according to Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato, who has has been tasked to take the key role and lead the PNG negotiation team and things will be firmed up after Prime Minister O’Neill’s meeting with his counterpart Julia Gillard in the Cook Islands.
Whatever the final solution is for the boat people or refugees, one thing is very clear: this matter, essentially is Australia’s responsibility, according to UNHCR regional representative Richard Towle. “Australia may choose to transfer physically people to other jurisdictions, but we believe that under international law, very clearly, Australia is not absolved of its legal responsibilities to protect people through all aspects of the processing and solutions,” Mr Towle said.
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