A stateless refugee fears years in limbo in PNG

Refugees and asylum seekers on Manus Island are warning any forced relocation of people from the Lombrum immigration centre could cost lives. A Papua New Guinea official reportedly told detainees demolition will begin as early as next week (May 28) - more than a year after the PNG Supreme Court ruled the detention centre was "illegal and unconstitutional". A PNG official has told the more than 800 who remain, they must decide to either return to their country of origin, settle in the PNG community, or relocate to a so-called "transit centre" near the main town of Lorengau

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A stateless refugee who has been in Manus detention centre for nearly four years says refugees in the camp are waiting for relocation to the United States and refuse to be relocated to the 'transit centre in Laurengau.

 

He fears that the decision to close the centre in Lombrum is just a pathway to long term stay in PNG, an option that will leave them in limbo for years to come.