UCA News
Contribute

Australia rejects UN criticism of its policies on asylum seekers

Deterrence tactics labeled 'cruel and unlawful'
Australia rejects UN criticism of its policies on asylum seekers

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison attempted to deflect the UN's criticism of Australia by pointing out that far worse violations occur in Syria and Iraq (AFP Photo/William West)

Published: September 09, 2014 08:53 AM GMT
Updated: September 08, 2014 09:54 PM GMT

Australia Tuesday rejected United Nations criticism that its treatment of asylum-seekers was "leading to a chain of human rights violations" with Canberra saying abuses in Syria and Iraq were worse.

New UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein used his inaugural speech Monday to slam Australia's offshore processing of asylum-seekers and turning back of boats.

He said it was leading to "a chain of human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and possible torture following return to home countries".

"It could also lead to the resettlement of migrants in countries that are not adequately equipped," the Jordanian prince added while addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Zeid also criticised Cyprus' and the United States' treatment of immigrant children and said the detention of asylum-seekers and migrants "should only be applied as a last resort, in exceptional circumstances, for the shortest possible duration and according to procedural safeguards".

Under Canberra's hardline immigration policy, boatpeople arriving in Australia since July 2013 -- including children -- have been sent to camps on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea and the remote Pacific state of Nauru.

They are resettled in those countries if their refugee claims are approved.

Australia has also worked to stem the flow of asylum-seekers through a military-led operation to turn boats back to countries such as Indonesia, where many begin the dangerous sea crossing.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison rejected the UN allegations and said he "would be pleased to meet to discuss these matters as I do on a regular basis with the UNHCR".

"The most flagrant abuse of human rights I am aware of is the beheading and crucifying of people in Syria and Iraq where Australia is seeking to relieve the humanitarian crisis," he added.

Daniel Webb, from the Melbourne-based Human Rights Law Centre, welcomed Zeid's comments saying in a statement that they "show the seriousness with which Australia's flagrant breaches of international law are regarded on the world stage".

"All that the government's cruel and unlawful deterrence policies have achieved is to give vulnerable people who lack options one less option and to denigrate Australia's international standing in the process," he said.

Morrison has previously said his party's asylum-seeker policies were effective in stopping people from dying at sea by deterring them from boarding boats bound for Australia.

Only one boatload of asylum-seekers has reached the Australian mainland since December. Previously, boats were arriving almost daily, with hundreds of people dying en route. AFP

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia