Two Iranian refugees in Port Moresby have been robbed at gunpoint when armed raskals broke into their unit at Koki Apartments, around 5.00am yesterday, Saturday 13 August.
The three raskals, one armed with a gun and two others with bush knives, held a gun to the head of one of the refugees during the attack, and made off with the refugees’ mobile phones, laptops and speakers.Â
No one was injured in the attack, but the refugees have been further traumatised. During recent street violence during the election, refugees were warned to stay in their rooms. Refugees have become routine targets of violent assault in Port Moresby.Â
Fourteen refugees are housed at the complex where the robbery took place.
The attack has renewed calls for the remaining 100 refugees and asylum seekers being held in PNG by the Australian government to be evacuated to Australia.
“PNG has never been safe for refugees,” said Ian Rintoul, spokesperson for the Refugee Action Coalition, “They have been held in PNG for over nine years, with is no prospect of safe settlement there. Many of them have been accepted to the United States and Canada but have heard nothing from those countries for years.
“They should be given safety in Australia.”
For more information contact Ian Rintoul 0417 275 713