UN Rules Australia Violated Asylum Seekers’ Rights on Nauru

The United Nations human rights committee has determined that Australia violated the rights of asylum seekers arbitrarily detained on Nauru, serving as a warning to countries considering outsourcing asylum processing, The Guardian reported.

The committee’s findings stem from two cases involving 25 refugees who endured years of detention under harsh conditions.

Australia has faced criticism for its long-standing policy of sending asylum seekers to detention centers in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

The committee highlighted the severe impact on unaccompanied minors held in overcrowded facilities, suffering from mental and physical health issues. Additionally, an Iranian refugee was found to have been unjustifiably detained for years despite being recognized as a refugee.

The UN committee called for Australia to compensate the victims and ensure similar violations do not recur. Australia rejected the allegations, claiming it does not exercise effective control over the Nauru processing center.