These factors have been documented and yet remain unaddressed. The Australian government must act to tackle these long-standing concerns to provide a safe and appropriate environment for asylum seekers. Failure to do so will risk further unrest and harm unfolding. Such harm would be the more disturbing for the fact that it is preventable.

First, appropriate facilities must be provided for asylum seekers. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Amnesty International Australia have expressed serious concerns about the facilities and conditions on Manus Island. The UNHCR found that the detention of asylum seekers on the island is in breach of international law and that the harsh conditions are below international standards.

Under international law, the Australian government has a responsibility to ensure that when it transfers people to other countries there are adequate safeguards to protect the rights of people in those countries. To the extent that it is responsible for the detention of those people in those countries, it has an obligation to ensure they are treated humanely and protected from threats to their physical safety.

Second, there must be adequate monitoring of conditions. The difficulty of obtaining accurate information about exactly what has occurred on Manus Island this past week, of what has caused the unrest and who bears responsibility, is also disturbing.

It is a graphic reflection of the lack of transparency and accountability that accompanies offshore processing arrangements. In fact, the memorandum of understanding with the Papua New Guinea government about the Manus Island facility requires that both countries ''treat transferees with dignity and respect and in accordance with relevant human rights standards''. Independent and transparent monitoring is required to ensure that this occurs.