Australian Catholic leaders have criticised the Federal Government and Opposition Labour Party as asylum seekers on Manus Island, off Papua New Guinea, refused to leave where they have been kept living, despite having had power, food and other supplies cut off when the detention centre there was closed last week.
Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen of Parramatta, a former refugee who is now the Australian Bishops’ Delegate for Migrants and Refugees, said the safety and well-being of more than 600 asylum seekers on Manus Island was at risk following the closure of the centre.
"These men, most of whom are proven refugees, were held in mandatory and indefinite detention under an agreement between the Australian and PNG Governments," he wrote on his online diocesan news service 'Catholic Outlook' on 3 November.
"Now after more than four years, this agreement has not worked. It has failed to provide welfare and safety to the detainees. Furthermore, very few have been resettled elsewhere… The situation on Manus Island is turning into a humanitarian disaster and it is a direct result of our governments’ failed policy."
Protestors against Manus Island hold a march in Sydney in October ©PA
Many of the men on Manus fear moving to alternative accommodation and are refusing to leave the detention centre, which is also a PNG naval base.
"I appeal to the government and political leaders to act in accordance with our honourable tradition. It is time to find an alternative and conscionable solution, including accepting New Zealand’s offer of resettlement and bringing the remaining detainees on Manus Island to Australia," Bishop Long wrote.
PICTURE: Protesters rally with the Refugee Action Collective (Victoria) outside the State Library of Victoria on November 4, 2017. They are protesting the treatment of refugees stuck on Manus Island ©PA
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