Manus Pending Legal Action Monday

Lawyers Urge PNG Army, Navy, To Allow Free Movement At RPC Lombrun on Manus Pending Legal Action Monday

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/pngdf-takes-control-processing-centre-69002

The PNG Military has asserted its right to secure the property of RPC Lombrun on Manus Island by enforcing a blockade of the Centre.

The 600 men still living in the Centre have reason to fear that the blockade could lead to hunger, sickness or violence. They are without sufficient food, medication, running water or sanitation. They feel unsafe and vulnerable to violence.

The PNG Army, Navy, Police have a duty of care to the asylum seekers. They must respect the human rights of the 600 Men in Lombrun RPC and allow food and medical supplies into the RPC.

George Newhouse, the Principal Solicitor for the National Justice Project said that “proceedings had been commenced by Ben Lomai in the Supreme Court of PNG to enforce the Constitutional Rights of the asylum seekers, in order to provide them with basic amenities and necessities of life, including the provision of water, food, electricity, sanitation, cleaning, health care and security services; and to take all necessary steps to send the asylum seekers to Australia or to a safe and suitable third country which is capable of offering them a permanent and durable solution”

“That application will be heard in PNG on Monday.”

“The PNG Army, Navy, Police Should Leave the 600 Men in Lombrun RPC alone, in light of this pending legal action, Newhouse concluded.

“This is a case that must be heard by the PNG Supreme Court because the asylum seekers are pursuing orders to enforce human rights as provided under the Constitution. The PNG Supreme Court is expected to sit with three judges and its decision is final as it is the highest court in PNG.

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