Last week OUTinPerth shared a report from Human Rights Watch and the Human Rights Law Centre that highlighted that homosexual people on Manus Island have reported being sexually abused.
At the time Australia’s Immigration Minister, and his media staff, were unavailable to comment on the report.
Today a spokesperson for the minister has responded to OUTinPerth’s inquiries.
We asked Peter Dutton, the Minister for Immigration and Border Control the following questions.
1. Can the minister confirm how many reports of sexual abuse or assault of a same sex nature have been reported on Manus Island?
2. Is the Minister concerned about the report from Human Rights Watch that outlines reports of sexual assault against gay (LGBT) people?
3. Is the Minister concerned that Australia is resettling homosexual (LGBT) to Papua New Guinea, a country where being homosexual faces a jail term of up to 14 years?
Today a spokesperson for the minister provided a response, referring us to the government of Papua New Guinea.
Here’s the response in full.
The Government of PNG is responsible for the refugee determination process in PNG, for the management of those determined to be refugees and for the operations and arrangements at the ELRTC and Regional Processing Centre (RPC). These arrangements are managed under PNG law by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICSA).
Whilst Australia remains committed to supporting the Government of PNG, the settlement of refugees into their country is a matter for the PNG Government. The Australian Government will continue to work cooperatively with them in relation to all aspects of regional processing and settlement.
Any claims of mistreatment of transferees at the RPC are primarily a matter for PNG ICSA as Administrator of the RPC. To assist PNG in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Australia and PNG, the Australian Government has contracted appropriately trained and experienced service providers to ensure that transferees’ needs are adequately met, including through the provision of health and welfare services. Transferees can report any concerns to RPC staff.
Graeme Watson
