[Greens-Media] Manus inquiry only beginning to reveal the awful truth

[Schultz-Byard, Noah (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 20 March 2014

Manus inquiry only beginning to reveal the awful truth

The harrowing testimony emerging from the PNG inquiry into the Manus Island detention camp is beginning to show just how unacceptable the conditions actually are, the Australian Greens have said.

"The Manus Island camp is a stain on Australia's commitment to human rights," the Greens' immigration spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"When I was on Manus Island last year the conditions were appalling and, after the influx of people under the Abbott Government, things have become even worse.

"Tony Abbott's refusal to visit Manus Island while he is in PNG shows just how important this government thinks the suffering of refugees actually is.

"What we've heard so far about conditions in the camp is just the tip of the iceberg.

"Indefinite detention of innocent people, with no a pathway to release or resettlement, is an extremely serious breach of any person's human rights.

"The Manus Island centre is untenable and will eventually be closed down but, the longer it takes, the more damage it will do."


Media Contact: Noah Schultz-Byard 0427 604 760


NOAH SCHULTZ-BYARD  STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER

OFFICE OF SENATOR SARAH HANSON-YOUNG
AUSTRALIAN GREENS SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA
[fb-icon]<https://www.facebook.com/Senator.Sarah.Hanson.Young>[twt-icon]<https://twitter.com/sarahinthesen8> [ag-icon] <http://sarah-hanson-young.greensmps.org.au/>
Level 7 / 147 Pirie St, Adelaide, SA 5000
TEL  +61 8 8227 0425   |   MOB  +61 427 604 760   |   FAX  +61 8 8227 0426

[email_sig]