Refugees demand freedom as protests erupt at Manus Island detention centre
Protests broke out at Manus Island detention centre yesterday where refugees carried signs and chanted, demanding freedom. (AAP)
Tensions are rising at the Manus Island detention centre with hundreds of detainees protesting against being held in Papua New Guinea.
Approximately 800 asylum seekers rallied in the rain on Sunday night chanting "freedom" and "this place is illegal".
They carried banners which read "Shut down Manus Hell," The Advertiser reports.
"Where is sanctity of law? Stop playing games. Every death in PNG and Nauru is blood on your hands," read another.
Papua New Guinea authorities are allowing asylum seekers and refugees on Manus Island to leave the centre during the day after PNG's Supreme Court ruled the $600m Australian taxpayer-funded centre was illegal.
Around 180 asylum seekers have now been relocated from to a facility in East Lorengu where they are now free from captivity during the day, with a 6pm curfew.
A PNG official on Manus Island, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Advertiser animosity by locals for the refugees is building.
"They are suddenly seeing many, many refugees on the streets after years of them being locked up and out-of-sight," they said.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
Family-run IGA calls out Woolworths after workers scope out their grocer
‘Criminally responsible’: Teen drone operator charged with murder over mistaken identity shooting
WA teen forced to sleep on emergency room floor in excruciating pain for 14 hours
Passengers restrained on flight from Melbourne over ‘threats’
