By Patricia Keamo – EMTV News Cadet, Port Moresby
The Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Professionals society held a panel discussion that featured participants from the Manus Refugee core team who voted overwhelmingly to support the statement that ‘Australia has a moral obligation to look after all refugees and asylum seekers.’
This statement made at the panel discussion is a Christmas gift from Manus and Papua New Guinea to the refugees and asylum seekers – by December 25th 2018, all refugees and asylum seekers must be taken back to Australia.
The situation of the asylum seekers at the Manus Refugee centre has been kept hidden for the past six years and has sparked social and moral problems as well as a number of human rights issues.
These issues need to be communicated through different media platforms to bring out an effective social change.
The core team of the Manus refugee panel, Rebecca Lim, Paul Harricknen and Fr. Ambrose Pereira, met with the Governor of NCD, Powes Parkop, on November 3rd and discussed measures ahead that can ensure that the statement made at the panel discussion is carried out.
The issues discussed focused on the health of the refugees, abuse and information to the refugees.
Meetings are being set up with the various government ministries to address these issues.
