Conditions in Australia's offshore detention centres have been criticised by the UN
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is to begin resettling refugees from the controversial Manus Island migration custody center, Australia has said.
Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the move would agree to refugees there to "have a fresh start".
Australia made a 2013 agreement to provide PNG with help if it agreed to house a custody center and resettle refugees.
Australia sends asylum seekers arriving by boat to camps in PNG and the soothing nation of Nauru for processing.
However, circumstances in the camps have been strongly criticized by UN agencies and rights groups.
"Consistent with the RRA (Regional Resettlement Arrangement), persons transferred to PNG, who are found to be refugees, will be resettled in PNG. No-one will be resettled in Australia," Mr. Dutton said in a speech.
"The PNG government has shown... ...its promise to permit those found to be refugees to get on with their lives and have a fresh start in this dynamic nation with a growing financial system."


 
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