UNHCR undertook a visit to Manus Island from 23 to 25 October 2013 to assess the progress by Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) in implementing their commitments under the 1951 Refugee Convention since UNHCR’s June 2013 visit and to review the reception conditions at the Regional Processing Centre (RPC). Summary of key findings UNHCR...

This report argues that current arrangements at Manus Island do not meet international protection standards for the reception and treatment of asylum-seekers. Summary UNHCR acknowledges a number of positive developments since its January visit, including the transfer of children and their families back to Australia, and was also impressed by the obvious sensitivity, dedication and...

This paper sets out the key clauses of the government contract for health care provision to asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island, and examines their adequacy in providing for mental and physical health needs. Introduction With the recent return to processing of asylum seekers in Regional Processing Centres (RPCs) on Nauru and Manus Island...

On 13 August 2012, the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers released its report containing a suite of measures and recommendations to the Government on how best to deal with asylum seeker issues in the short, medium and long term. One of the short-term measures recommended was a proposal to re-establish offshore processing facilities in Nauru...