Saturday, July 27, 2013

NO CHANGES TO RPC PLANS

Nauru’s Acting President and Minister for Justice Hon David Adeang says the Friday riot which destroyed most of the facilities at the Regional Processing Centre (RPC) does not change Nauru’s commitment to hosting the Centre. “Australia hasn’t asked for changes and we haven’t put any forward, so yes it’s business as usual,” the acting president said.

“There will of course be extra measures taken now to  enhance security  protocols  and  features associated with managing the RPC and  these  are  being  addressed, together  with  a  consideration of  greater  effort  to  enhance the  determination  process  and communicating  with  the  asylum seekers about  this process and  the state of their determination.”

Nauru will also be shortly assuming greater control and responsibility of the Centres through Administrative Arrangements supporting the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing the processing of asylum seekers.

The  administrative  arrangements will assist  the Government of Nauru  in particular  to  stay  on  top  of  operational issues  over  the  RPC  including  the welfare of asylum seekers. The  riot  that  erupted  in  fames  and violence  at  the  RPC  at  the  weekend (19 July) destroying buildings and food supplies  for  the  camp  is  estimated  at $60-million.

Mr  Adeang  toured  the  site  this  week (22  July)  with  cabinet  ministers  and members  of  parliament  and  saw  the destruction frst hand. The  wreckage  is  being  bulldozed  and cleared  to  make  way  for  rebuilding which  is  estimated  to  be  ready  in  six months.

All  eight  accommodation  blocks  each housing between 44 to 88 people, office blocks,  and  medical  facilities  were burnt  to  the  ground,  including  half the  new  kitchen  which  had  just  been commissioned three days before the riot. Up to 400 asylum seekers are still at the Centre and now living in tents until more suitable accommodation can be erected.

They are receiving food and medical treatment. Court proceedings for 152 asylum seekers in police custody are underway. On  24  July  the District Court of  Nauru  denied  bail  for  the men,  however  bail hearings commenced  a  day  later  (25 July). 

The  initial  charges  are unlawful  assembly  and  riot, with  additional  charges expected  including  arson  on public buildings. The  latter  charge  would require  a  hearing  in  the Supreme  Court  with  a committal  process  in  the District Court initially.

The asylum seekers appeared before Resident Magistrate Peter Law in groups of ten to 12. The asylum seekers are being represented by court appointed lawyers. Each group was aided by an interpreter.

Information copy pasted from Nauru Bulletin 26 July 2013 - no.88 

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