Statement from the Sisters of Mercy of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand

               Manus Island Refugees Spend Yet Another Day In Crisis

There are 600 refugees on Manus Island who disturbingly will today spend yet another day without access to food, water, electricity or medical care.

The Sisters of Mercy of Australia, Papua New Guinea and Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand add our voice to the many concerned people in our countries who cannot remain silent while this humanitarian crisis continues.

The New Zealand Government should be commended for doing the right thing by offering to resettle some of the Manus refugees in New Zealand.

We appeal to the good nature of the individual men and women of the Australian Parliament to fulfil their legal and moral responsibilities by immediately bringing the Manus Island refugees to Australia.

We Sisters stand ready to provide assistance where possible to these people whether in Papua New Guinea, Australia or New Zealand.

It is time that decency prevailed and Australia lived up to its obligation and long held reputation as a fair, just and compassionate nation.

8 November 2017

Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea
Sisters of Mercy Parramatta
Sisters of Mercy North Sydney
Sisters of Mercy Brisbane
Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa Sisters of Mercy New Zealand

For further information:
John Rochester
Communications Manager 
Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea
+ 61 417 627 904