Rush of refugee claim processing after detainees were told applications would no longer be accepted after 31 March

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Papua New Guinea officials say they have finished processing refugee claims at the Manus Island detention centre, finding about half to be refugees.

Nauru detainees claim they were assaulted by guards during 'disturbance' Read more

The rush of processing was revealed last week, when detainees were told applications would no longer be taken after 31 March, and anyone whose claim was rejected was to go home or be deported.

It comes amid tensions in the other Australian-run offshore immigration centre on Nauru where allegations of assault on Wednesday night continue.

Manus detainees with positive determinations were to be separated in the camp before moving to a transit centre and then resettlement in PNG. It is alleged inducements were offered and threats of force made to encourage cooperation.

Some Manus detainees had said they would resist separation, and there were claims of altercations as people were crowded into rooms and prayer spaces, but on Friday the centre was reported to be calm.

While most people are believed to have already been moved into different camp areas, PNG immigration minister, Rimbink Pato has said all refugees and non-refugees would be accommodated separately from 6 June.

Guardian Australia was told by several detainees that a large number of men intended to resist, including a group of about 60 who refused in protest to submit their claim.

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Pato said all applications – aside from those under appeal – had been completed, and 450 of approximately 800 approved, the ABC reported.

PNG’s determination system has been criticised in the past, and an analysis of data from the Australian immigration department last month revealed just 58% of claims made to it were approved, compared to 85% in the Nauru processing centre, raising questions about the fairness of the PNG system.

The move follows comments from PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill to the Australian National Press Club last month that PNG authorities were reassessing the number of people who would be resettled because the government did not have the financial resources to resettle all 916 in the centre.

Those from the Manus centre found to be refugees will move into the PNG community. Several who had already moved to the capital Port Moresby, or the next biggest city Lae, have said they are struggling without employment or support. Guardian Australia was told four men had recently returned to Manus from Port Moresby, claiming they were not safe and seeking re-entry to the centre.

Another refugee, 20-year-old Loghman Sawari told Guardian Australia in February that he had been left homeless in Lae after a pay dispute and an altercation with his housemate which he said was motivated by his status as a refugee.

Manus detainees told they will be separated, then resettled or repatriated Read more

Pato said the centre will remain open “for as long as it is required”.

“However, its purpose is for refugee processing – it is not designed or intended for people to stay there indefinitely,” he was quoted as saying in an ABC report. “We want people to move on with their lives.”

Meanwhile on Nauru, detainees are standing by their allegations that guards assaulted people, allegedly including children, during a disturbance on Wednesday night.

The immigration department has denied the claims, but confirmed two detainees were treated for injuries after the incident, and that seven staff members were injured “while attempting to restore order to the centre and protect other residents, transferees and staff from injury”.

Detainees said the altercation began after a group of teenage boys – who had been protesting on the roof of a tent for some days – met with a Border Force official who reaffirmed they would not go to Australia despite their belief it was unfair because a number of people there on medical transfer had been given community detention.

One witness said the boys grew frustrated after the officer left, and punched the wall, prompting guards to enter and “hold and hit them”.

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The immigration department initially declined to address the allegations, confirming only that a disturbance had taken place, two people were injured, and Nauruan police attended.

Later on Thursday a second statement labeled the detainees’ allegations that guards assaulted women and children as “false”, and said seven staff members had been hurt.

Speaking to ABC radio’s PM program on Thursday, immigration minister Peter Dutton dismissed the assault allegations, based on the lack of advice he had received which supported it.

He said there was “a lot of misinformation being peddled”, and videos purportedly from inside the centre were “a complete outrage.”

“Because there is no evidence that people are being assaulted there, that’s not the advice that I’ve received,” he said.

Dutton was asked by ABC radio presenter Mark Colvin to “definitively” clarify his response to reports there were children involved in the disturbance.

“I’m not advised there were children involved,” he said.

A copy of a complaint made by asylum seekers on Nauru over treatment by guards at the detention centre. Photograph: None

Guardian Australia has been sent photographs of injuries in both adults and children, but is unable to verify how those injuries took place. The detainees have lodged a complaint standing by their allegations, which they describe in the form.

“I went to take water for my mom and sister but securities didn’t let me take water and after that I threw the chair to reach water and then a security guard held me from my back from my neck,” wrote one about an alleged incident after the disturbance had spread to the main camp.

“Then my friend … tried to help me but that bald security started hitting [my friend]. Then I went another place to take water for my mom, I was just standing but a security punched me and when he pushed me I hit the wooden table with my mouth and I fell down. Then the security say on me.”

The detainees requested Wilson Security to investigate the incident.

Dutton’s office has been contacted for comment.