In this Aug. 2, 2013, photo, a group of asylum seekers hold up their identity after landing in Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O'Neill issued a statement Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, saying he met with Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and that the two countries agreed the center will be closed. (Eoin Blackwell/AAP Image, via AP) (The Associated Press)
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Papua New Guinea and Australia say they have agreed to close a detention center on Manus Island but have offered no details on when it will happen or on the fate of the 850 men being held there.
Australia's policy of sending migrants who try to reach its shores by boat to island detention centers has long drawn criticism from human rights groups. In April, Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court ruled that the Australian-run detention center on Manus Island was unconstitutional.
Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O'Neill issued a statement Wednesday saying he met with Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and that the two countries agreed the center will be closed.
O'Neill said he was satisfied that officials from both countries were making progress toward that end.
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