The Forgotten Men of Manus: A Glimpse into Ongoing Suffering
"Manus is closed. Detention is over, but we are detained still. We are here still, people are suffering a lot still. Every day we get worse, we are dying a little bit more. But nobody cares about us.” These heart-wrenching words spoken by Samad Abdul encapsulate the ongoing plight of asylum seekers trapped in Australia’s offshore detention regime, now reduced to a ragged existence on the outskirts of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Life in Limbo: Samad Abdul’s Journey
Samad Abdul arrived in Australia at the young age of 23, hoping for safety and a better life. He was one of the first asylum seekers flown to Manus Island following then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 2013 commitment that those arriving by boat would never settle on Australian soil. Since then, Samad has lived under the harsh conditions of PNG, first in the Manus detention center and now at a hostel in Port Moresby. While he enjoys the freedom to come and go, he remains trapped within a country that is not his home, constantly questioning the future of his life.
A Well-Founded Fear
The persecution Samad faced in Quetta, Pakistan, has been formally recognized by Australian authorities, affirming his “well-founded fear of being persecuted.” He cannot return to his homeland, and legally, Australia is obliged to protect him. Yet, despite being accepted for resettlement in Canada in 2022, Samad has heard little about his future, deepening his sense of despair. “How long should we wait? We need to know a solution,” he pleads.
A Small Community in Distress
At the hostel in Five Mile, Samad shares his cramped living space with 16 men, a stark contrast to the thousands who once passed through Australia’s offshore processing system. The remaining handful represent an ongoing tragedy, as many are physically unwell and psychologically shattered. The terms “unable to engage” and “mistrust” dominate the lexicon of the officials tasked with their resettlement, revealing the deep scars left by their experiences.
The Weight of Isolation
For many, the presence of outsiders is met with suspicion and hostility. Years of isolation and trauma have eroded trust, leading to avoidant behaviors that make resettlement even more challenging. Samad’s openness stands out amidst this atmosphere; his willingness to share his story stems from a frustrated desire for change. “We do nothing, do nothing all day. We just sit here, wasting our lives,” he laments.
Bittersweet Liberation for Others
Over the years, many refugees who once shared the same fate as Samad have successfully resettled in various countries, including Europe, Canada, and the United States. While Samad feels happiness for his peers, there is an equally heavy weight of grief. “We have been so close… and then – suddenly – they are gone, gone to their new lives,” he says. As they begin anew with careers and families, Samad struggles to find relevance in conversations about their past. “What do I have to say: I am still here. Doing nothing.”
The Cost of Offshore Detention
A 2016 ruling by the PNG Supreme Court declared the detention center on Manus Island illegal, yet the suffering continues. Australia’s ongoing financial support for the PNG government, while secretive, raises concerns about accountability. The exact costs of these “confidential bilateral agreements” with PNG remain undisclosed, with officials citing national security and international relations as reasons for non-disclosure. Under these circumstances, questions arise: Where does taxpayer money go? Is it being used appropriately?
The Call for Accountability
Zaki Haidari, a refugee rights campaigner with Amnesty International Australia, expresses profound concern for the health and wellbeing of the men remaining in PNG. He argues that Australia has not only a moral obligation but a legal one to assist these detainees. “Their suffering is the direct result of Australia’s inhuman asylum policies,” he asserts, emphasizing that these men are living in a void with no clear resolution for their futures.
The International Perspective
In a recent ruling, the UN Human Rights Committee reiterated that Australia retains responsibility for the asylum seekers it transferred to offshore detention facilities. According to committee member Mahjoub El Haiba, “A state party cannot escape its human rights responsibility when outsourcing asylum processing to another state.” Amidst this, Australia’s Home Affairs Department claims that the PNG government is solely responsible for the men’s welfare, offering little reassurance to those like Samad.
The Continued Struggle for Understanding
As Samad gazes out into the oppressive heat of Port Moresby, he is left with his own pressing inquiries: “How long do we wait? What will happen to us? We deserve answers.” In a life marked by uncertainty and longing, his search for clarity continues in silence, highlighting a failure that extends far beyond individual stories—a collective moral failing of a society that has seemingly chosen to look away.
