The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Filippo Grandi, issued a statement saying that Australia had not honoured an agreement made on family reunification in Australia. The UNHCR agreed to help administer the Australia’s refugee resettlement agreement with the United States, on the understanding that vulnerable refugees with close family ties in Australia would be allowed to settle in Australia. The UNHCR was recently informed that Australia would refuse to accept these refugees. The Australian Government rejected the claim that such a deal was reached with UNHCR.
Refugees and asylum seekers in the Foxtrot compound of the Manus Island immigration detention centre were advised that they must vacate this week, forming part of the rolling closure of the facility. Water, power, and cleaning services within the Foxtrot compound are also ceasing.
Also on Manus Island, two men were reportedly seriously injured in separate armed robberies overnight: a 27-year-old Sudanese refugee and a 27-year-old Iranian asylum seeker. Both men are currently in the Lorengau Hospital.
A group of around 30 refugees from El Salvador, who are being held in Costa Rica, are expected to arrive in Australia in the next two months, according to two sources. This forms part of the refugee swap arrangement made with the United States.