The 12 former Australians of the Year called on Australia to restore basic services to the camp on Manus Island and allow doctors to provide care there as reports emerged of an operation on Thursday to evict the remaining asylum seekers. Their intervention follows several street marches in Australian cities condemning Australia's treatment of asylum seekers on Papua New Guinea. The asylum seekers fear for their safety in the alternative shelters available in the nearby town of Lorengau because of threats from local residents. Turnbull dismissed asylum seekers' fears for their safety in Lorengau, accusing them of trying to pressure Australia into resettling them by refusing to move from Manus. Amnesty International cited reports of Papua New Guinea immigration officials armed with sticks and knives entering the Manus camp on Thursday.

Source: ABC News November 23, 2017 01:06 UTC