- Stand-off resolved, protests enter eighth day
- Hundreds reportedly receiving medical care
- Tony Abbott congratulates authorities on "defeating" protests
- Stop Cambodia resettlement, Greens say
The stand-off between authorities and asylum seekers ended on Monday, the seventh day of protests, as security guards broke through barricades.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott addressed the media on Tuesday, thanking authorities for their role.
Mr Abbott said the challenge to the government's asylum seeker policy had been "defeated".
"There was a well organised, well-coordinated protest, indeed in some parts of the Manus Island centre it amounted to a blockade," he said.
"That challenge, that blockade, has now been broken."
Mr Abbott was asked whether asylum seekers had been mistreated in that process, to which he responded that "the important thing is that order has been restored".
Refugee advocates told SBS that authorities forcibly removed asylum seekers, stating that some were “handcuffed and dragged along the ground”.
No serious injuries have been reported.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said authorities handled the situation “exceptionally well”, though the threat of further protests remained.
“There will still be some people will refuse to take water or food or will self-harm and we don’t want to see that,” he told ABC Radio.
“In the end, we want to help these people return to their country of origin. They will not be coming to Australia.”
Mr Dutton dismissed comparisons between the protests and the situation preceding the fatal riots in February, which resulted in the death of Iranian asylum seeker Reza Barati.
He also criticised media coverage of the protests, saying that some reports had not been helpful. He said it was "complete rubbish" that asylum seekers had been denied water.
Mr Dutton was today also pressed on negotiations with Cambodia, which he said were ongoing.
The Minister will be travelling to Cambodia “shortly”, but said no public comment could be provided on the details of the negotiations.
Pleas for independent supervision
Refugee advocates have said that dozens of people have been removed from the Delta compound following the forced entry by authorities on Monday.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said around 60 asylum seekers were also being held in Lorengau Prison.
“We are extremely concerned for the safety of the asylum seekers taken from Delta Compound,” he said.
“There is an urgent need for independent supervision of those in police custody.”
There has been no confirmation from the government that transferees have been taken to Lorengau.
Footage provided to SBS by refugee advocates claims to show the situation within the centre, with voices heard in the background asking for help.
This footage cannot be independently verified.
Unverified images provided to SBS from within the Manus Island detention centre.
‘There is no safety’
Asylum seekers have described themselves as “hostages for the Australian Government”.
In a letter sent to SBS, more than 80 detainees stated that they weren’t willing to resettle in Papua New Guinea due to fears for their lives.
“There is no safety and any future for us and our family,” it read.
“Today we are consider [sic] as hostages for the Australian government so they can deter others to not come to Australia.”
Refugee Action Collective spokesman Chris Breen said the asylum seekers wanted a guarantee that they would not be forcefully moved to Longerau - which is outside the compound - on Thursday.
“Many asylum seekers fear for their lives if they are forced to Longerau,” he said.
“Rather than send in thugs to attack asylum seekers, Peter Dutton should agree to this entirely reasonable request.”
‘They need empathy and compassion’
The Greens have urged the government to send an independent team of mediators to the Manus Island facility amid reports that asylum seekers were being refused food and water.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said independent action was needed before the situation deteriorated further.
In a statement, Senator Hanson-Young said a “circuit breaker” was necessary.
“I am calling on the government to send an independent team of mediators into the centre immediately,” she said.
“The refugees inside the camp are clearly distressed and broken. They need empathy and compassion not simply ‘tough talk’.”
Her comments follow those made by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who called for transparency over the ongoing protests.
