Transcript
Iranian detainee Farhad Rahmati says about 700 of the detained men don't intend to leave the detention centre voluntarily.
"If the choice is between dying hear or dying in our own countries then on the 31st of October we will take the only real choice we have left. We'll stand side by side as brothers and peacefully refuse to leave the Manus RPC."
The PNG government has promised not to use force to move the refugees to three buildings in the island's main town.
But Australian senator Nick McKim says with a police paramilitary squad on standby for the closure, a violent confrontation is possible.
"What transpires over the next 48 to 72 hours unfortunately is anyone's guess and it's very hard to predict. But I've got grave fears that we are heading down a path towards tragedy and a humanitarian emergency here on Manus Island."
Senator McKim says at least one of the buildings is not ready to house the refugees.
"You can see one from the road and it's basically just a couple of dongers in the middle of mud, I mean it's just no way to receive anybody. So the Australian government has just got to calm down, immediately abandon plans to cut off life supports into the centre because there is simply no safe option for these guys at the moment and that's why they, as a matter of urgency, need to be evacuated out of Papua NEw Guinea and delivered to the US, or to New Zealand, or to Australia."
The PNG government says Australia needs to find other countries to take the refugees.
It's also raised concerns about reduced health care services in the new buildings.
Farhad Rahmati says that will cause more refugee deaths.
"There are some of us who will die from treatable and preventable illnesses. There are some of us who will be attacked by angry locals. And then there are some of us who will eventually take our own lives. Until then all of us will live a life of poverty and fear in a place where we are not welcome."
Amnesty International's Kate Schuetze is also on Manus and says local Manusians have prepared a petition opposing the relocation.
She says they too fear PNG police could be heavy handed.
"Locals are telling us PNG police are coming in armed to the hilt like they're going to fight a war. So it is a very concerning situation, I think everyone is on edge. And the locals cannot understand why Australia has treated these people this way and locked them up for so many years and now just wants to withdraw and leave them here."
Senator McKim says Manusians could react violently to the relocation.
"There's a high degree of concern in the local community and understandably so. About 600 men from the other side of the world with very different cultures are basically being dumped into the community. And the refugees are also scared about what might happen if they are forcibly transferred into the community because there have been multiple knife and machete attacks on refugees by locals in the last few months. So every where these guys look they are faced with danger and they are legitimatley and understandably in fear for their lives."
Lawyers yesterday filed an application to the PNG Supreme court which could delay the closure. They're hoping the application will be heard today.
