23 May 2014

PNG recognises first refugees from Australia's detention camp

11:43 am on 23 May 2014

Australia's Immigratrion Minister Scott Morrison says the first determinations on refugee status have been made for asylum seekers held on Manus Islands in Papua New Guinea.

11 asylum seekers have had their refugee claims recognised while 15 have been refused.

Those found to be refugees were from Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Detainees alleged Iranian man Reza Berati was thrown from a balcony and beaten.

Detainees alleged Iranian man Reza Berati was thrown from a balcony and beaten. Photo: AAP

It is yet to be confirmed where the refugees will be settled.

Mr Morrison said earlier that everyone who's found to be a refugee at Manus will be resettled in PNG.

However PNG's Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato subsequently qualified that assertion, saying PNG would determine who would settle in PNG.

There are still about 1,300 asylum seekers held on Manus.

The announcement comes in the same week as the first batch of determinations for asylum seekers held on Nauru were confirmed.

13 asylum seekers will be allowed to resettle in Nauru for up to five years.

Seven had their claims rejected.