Contempt Charges Mooted Against PNG Government

Alawyer representing detainees on Manus Island says he may file contempt of court proceedings against the Papua New Guinea government after it announced a plan last week to close one facility on the island and keep another open. The lawyer, Ben Lomai, said the plan contravenes the PNG Supreme Court’s ruling in April that the detention of asylum seekers was unconstitutional. Mr Lomai said his contempt proceedings could target the Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato, the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the Chief Immigration Officer, Mataio Rabura.

Asylum seekers look at the media from behind a fence at the Manus Island Detention Centre, Papua New Guinea.