Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

PNG police say situation dire for Papuan refugees in Port Moresby

Posted at 03:13 on 12 December, 2007 UTC

Police in Papua New Guinea say the situation for Papuan refugees sheltering at the capital’s police station is dire.

The Papuan refugees, who are said to number about 200, have been seeking refuge at the Boroko police station since the end of October after four of their countrymen were accused of murder.

Chief inspector, Andy Bawa, says the refugees refuse to return to their camp in front of the United Nations Refugee office in Port Moresby and demand a third country accept them.

Chief inspector Bawa says police are concerned about their wellbeing.

“The situation is very unhygienic, especially with pregnant mothers, and little kids and old men and women, the situation is not very good for them in terms of their health and hygiene. They need to be evacuated and moved to a better place where they can be looked after properly. We [also] didn’t have enough food to feed them [at times]. We require the relevant authorities to address the issue.”

Police Chief Inspector, Andy Bawa, in Port Moresby.