UN Slams Australia's Asylum Seeker Policies as 'Hostile and Contemptuous'

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, has criticized Australia's asylum seeker policies in front of the human rights council in Geneva, labeling them as setting a "poor benchmark" for the region. The comments come amidst a growing controversy surrounding claims that Australian officials paid people smugglers to turn back an asylum seeker vessel at sea. The move has drawn rebuke from the Indonesian vice-president, who warned that if such a payment occurred, Australia could be considered a party to human trafficking.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, has criticized Australia's asylum seeker policies as "hostile and contemptuous" and setting a "poor benchmark" for the region.
  • The policies include turning back asylum seeker vessels at sea and detaining asylum seekers on Nauru and Manus Island, which have been described as conditions amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
  • The Australian government's stance on the claims of paying people smugglers has been met with increasing pressure from the opposition, with Labor and the Greens urging the government to respond.
  • The Indonesian vice-president has threatened to reconsider Australia's role in the region if the claims of payment to people smugglers are proven, citing potential involvement in human trafficking.
  • Most Australians themselves are descendants of migrants, and the country maintains a sizable program for regular migration and resettlement.

Statistics:

  • Australia has detained over 3,000 asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru, with conditions described as cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
  • The Australian government has turned back over 25 asylum seeker vessels at sea since 2013, with some reports of people being injured during these operations.
  • According to the UN, asylum seekers held on Manus Island and Nauru have experienced significant health issues, including mental and physical health problems stemming from prolonged detention.

Sources:

  • "Australia's response to migrant arrivals has set a poor benchmark for its regional neighbours." - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, speech to the human rights council in Geneva, Monday.
  • "Asylum seekers are incarcerated in centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, where they face conditions that the special rapporteur on torture has reported as amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment." - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, speech to the human rights council in Geneva, Monday.
  • "I am bewildered by the hostility and contempt for these women, men and children that is so widespread among the country's politicians." - United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, speech to the human rights council in Geneva, Monday.