Morrison and a glass of water - Manus Island
06/01/23 09:49 pm
Unveiling the Past: Scott Morrison's Denial of Amnesty Report Findings on Manus Island Detention
Let's take a trip down memory lane, over a decade ago, to revisit a rather controversial chapter in Australian immigration history. Strap in, as we delve into Scott Morrison's response to a scathing Amnesty International report on offshore processing at Manus Island.
Over 10 years back, Morrison found himself at the center of a storm, vehemently denying key findings that painted a grim picture of conditions on Manus. Amnesty's report suggested that some asylum seekers faced restricted access to drinking water, and shockingly, it claimed that gay asylum seekers risked being reported to the police.
At the weekly Operation Sovereign Borders press conference, Morrison faced the music, committing to a review of the report while seeking verification on specific details. The report, pulling no punches, declared the conditions on Manus tantamount to torture.
One eyebrow-raising revelation in the report involved an interview with Renate Croker, the top Australian government immigration official on Manus. Croker indicated that any homosexual relations would automatically be reported to the local police. Morrison vehemently distanced the government from this policy, asserting that all asylum seekers were provided with "clear advice" on the "relevant laws" in Papua New Guinea, where homosexuality was illegal and carried a 14-year sentence.
In response to questions from Guardian Australia, Morrison sidestepped specifics on the "relevant laws" concerning homosexuality, insisting that press conferences were for questions, not answers.
The Amnesty report also claimed that certain sections of the detention center restricted asylum seekers to a mere 500ml of drinking water per day, well below the required minimum. Morrison, however, flatly denied these observations, stating, "There is no restriction on the amount of water that people can receive on Manus."
Amidst this controversy, a peaceful protest unfolded on Manus, involving 100 asylum seekers. They sought answers from detention center staff regarding the Amnesty report, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.
As the press conference unfolded, Morrison dropped another bombshell – 14 pregnant women were confirmed to be on Nauru, adding another layer to the already complex issue.
Operation Sovereign Borders commander Angus Campbell chimed in, confirming a recent arrival of a boat carrying three asylum seekers and two crew members. Reports of people smugglers spreading rumors that the government had softened its stance on boat arrivals were also acknowledged, prompting Campbell to inquire about potential changes to Australia's border security policies.
Morrison's response was crystal clear: "Absolutely not. The government would only be strengthening policies, General."
In a poignant twist, Campbell confirmed reports of a tragic incident earlier that week – a boat carrying 30 people, mostly asylum seekers, had sunk off the coast of Java. Indonesian search and rescue authorities managed to save 27 individuals, but two lost their lives, and another remained in serious condition.
And there you have it, a snapshot from the past, offering a glimpse into the controversies that unfolded around Australia's immigration policies. Stay tuned for more throwback tales on the blog!
This article is based on the following Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/13/scott-morrison-denies-amnesty-report-findings-on-manus-island-detention
At the weekly Operation Sovereign Borders press conference, Morrison faced the music, committing to a review of the report while seeking verification on specific details. The report, pulling no punches, declared the conditions on Manus tantamount to torture.
One eyebrow-raising revelation in the report involved an interview with Renate Croker, the top Australian government immigration official on Manus. Croker indicated that any homosexual relations would automatically be reported to the local police. Morrison vehemently distanced the government from this policy, asserting that all asylum seekers were provided with "clear advice" on the "relevant laws" in Papua New Guinea, where homosexuality was illegal and carried a 14-year sentence.
In response to questions from Guardian Australia, Morrison sidestepped specifics on the "relevant laws" concerning homosexuality, insisting that press conferences were for questions, not answers.
The Amnesty report also claimed that certain sections of the detention center restricted asylum seekers to a mere 500ml of drinking water per day, well below the required minimum. Morrison, however, flatly denied these observations, stating, "There is no restriction on the amount of water that people can receive on Manus."
Amidst this controversy, a peaceful protest unfolded on Manus, involving 100 asylum seekers. They sought answers from detention center staff regarding the Amnesty report, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.
As the press conference unfolded, Morrison dropped another bombshell – 14 pregnant women were confirmed to be on Nauru, adding another layer to the already complex issue.
Operation Sovereign Borders commander Angus Campbell chimed in, confirming a recent arrival of a boat carrying three asylum seekers and two crew members. Reports of people smugglers spreading rumors that the government had softened its stance on boat arrivals were also acknowledged, prompting Campbell to inquire about potential changes to Australia's border security policies.
Morrison's response was crystal clear: "Absolutely not. The government would only be strengthening policies, General."
In a poignant twist, Campbell confirmed reports of a tragic incident earlier that week – a boat carrying 30 people, mostly asylum seekers, had sunk off the coast of Java. Indonesian search and rescue authorities managed to save 27 individuals, but two lost their lives, and another remained in serious condition.
And there you have it, a snapshot from the past, offering a glimpse into the controversies that unfolded around Australia's immigration policies. Stay tuned for more throwback tales on the blog!
This article is based on the following Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/13/scott-morrison-denies-amnesty-report-findings-on-manus-island-detention