Repatriation of some asylum seekers who have been held on Papua New Guinea's Manus Island are continuing.
The Manus Island detention centre. Photo: Behrouz Boochani
Six men sent back to Lebanon were the latest, although two were already in Port Moresby
They were among around 200 asylum seekers processed on Manus who had been classed as "non-refugees", having had their applications for refugee status rejected.
It's understood the six sent to Lebanon signed under threat of being deported if they didn't sign.
The Manus Island detention centre. Photo: Behrouz Boochani
Reports from Manus indicate they were given payments of up to 25-thousand US dollars each.
Officers from both PNG Immigration and the Australian Border Force agency have been actively encouraging such asylum seekers to return home.
Further "voluntary" repatriation of men from countries like Bangladesh who have also been on Manus for the past several years were expected in coming days.
The Manus Island detention centre. Photo: Behrouz Boochani
Over 600 other men on Manus have been confirmed as refugees.
PNG and Australian officials are yet to confirm where the majority of the refugees on Manus will be resettled.
Last April, PNG's Suprme Court ruled that holding people against their will at the regional processing centre is illegal.
However this month the court deemed that the cente was technically "closed" now.
