The Guardian 28 June, 2006
PNG not prepared to accept
Australia’s offshore processing
The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare, said that his country would not accept any requests from Australia to process West Papuan asylum seekers in PNG.
PNG Human rights lawyer and West Papuan supporter, Powes Parkop said he welcomed Sir Michael Somare’s announcement.
"It’s good news because from the beginning we always maintained that the processing centre in PNG, especially Manus province, was illegal.
"It was illegal because you cannot detain a person here in PNG without being charged. And those persons were taken from Tampa and transferred to Manus Island. They were not charged for any particular offence, so they could not be detained here in PNG or in Manus under the law in PNG.
"And secondly we welcome the news because it places the responsibility then to Australian Government. They have an obligation under the refugee convention and its protocol to consider applicants who come to their jurisdiction.
"They cannot pass their responsibility to a third country or a fourth country, they can’t do that. And their attempt to isolate mainland Australia from potential refugees is also I would argue, it’s unlawful and also immoral", said Mr Parkop.