Tensions over the asylum seekers have grown since the governments of Australia and Papua New Guinea agreed in April to close the detention center by Oct. 31. Several asylum seekers reported that the authorities had damaged personal property, seized cellphones and intimidated the men who resisted. The Papua New Guinea police said all the men had been cleared from the camp without violence. On Friday, Australian officials insisted that the alternative facilities were adequate, despite the asylum seekers’ complaints. Many of the asylum seekers have repeatedly said they do not want to go to Australia anymore, nor do they want to stay in Papua New Guinea.

Source: New York Times November 24, 2017 07:30 UTC