What Happened to Manus Island Regional Processing Centre?

Manus Island, the largest of the Admiralty Islands in Papua New Guinea, gained global notoriety as the site of an offshore immigration detention center established by the Australian government. The facility, officially known as the Manus Regional Processing Centre (MIRPC), was first opened in 2001 as a key component of Australia's 'Pacific Solution' policy, aimed at deterring asylum seekers arriving by boat. It was initially closed in 2008 but controversially reopened in 2012 under the Gillard Labor government, and its operations were significantly expanded in 2013 under the 'PNG Solution' which declared that asylum seekers processed there would never be resettled in Australia.

The rationale behind Australia's offshore processing policy was to deter irregular maritime arrivals and combat people smuggling. However, the center quickly became a focal point of international condemnation due to reports of inhumane conditions, inadequate medical care, and severe human rights abuses. Detainees experienced prolonged uncertainty, violence, and a significant deterioration of mental health. Major incidents, including riots in 2014 that resulted in the death of Reza Barati, highlighted the volatile and dangerous environment within the facility.

A critical turning point occurred in April 2016 when the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea ruled that the detention of asylum seekers on Manus Island was unconstitutional and illegal, violating the right to personal liberty. This ruling prompted the formal closure of the center on October 31, 2017. Despite the closure, hundreds of men initially refused to leave, fearing for their safety in the local community and uncertain about their future, leading to a tense standoff as power, water, and food supplies were cut.

Following the closure, efforts were made to resettle the detainees. A deal struck with the United States in 2016 led to the resettlement of over a thousand refugees from Manus and Nauru. New Zealand also agreed to resettle a number of former Manus Island refugees, with departures continuing into 2026. In 2017, the Australian government agreed to a A$70 million class action settlement for detainees who suffered harm due to their illegal detention.

As of March 2026, the legacy of Manus Island persists. While the main detention center is closed, approximately 27 men who were part of Australia's offshore processing regime reportedly remain in Papua New Guinea, living in precarious conditions and a state of deep poverty and limbo. Additionally, around 800 individuals who were transferred from Manus (and Nauru) to Australia for medical treatment are now considered 'transitory persons' without permanent status. The UN Committee against Torture recently found in January 2026 that Australia failed to protect an Iranian asylum seeker from torture and ill-treatment during his detention on Manus Island and later in Australia, underscoring ongoing international scrutiny.