UN criticises Australia’s ‘punitive approach’ to boatpeople and warns of rise in hate speech
Asylum seekers who arrive by boat are blocked from being resettled in Australia even if found to be genuine refugees
Australia’s “punitive approach” to boatpeople has tarnished its human rights record, the UN said on Friday as it voiced concern that xenophobia and hate speech was on the rise.
Canberra sends asylum seekers trying to reach Australia by sea to isolated outposts on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island, with the detention camps’ conditions widely criticised by refugee advocates and medical professionals.
Following an 18-day mission to Australia, UN special rapporteur Francois Crepeau said migrant rights had deteriorated under current government policy.
“The punitive approach adopted by Australia towards migrants who arrived by boat has served to erode their human rights,” he said. “It is a fundamental principle of human rights law that one person cannot be punished only for the reason of deterring another.”
The punitive approach adopted by Australia towards migrants who arrived by boat has served to erode their human rights
Asylum seekers who arrive by boat are blocked from being resettled in Australia even if found to be genuine refugees in a hardline stance Canberra says is a crucial deterrent to people smugglers.
The government has defended its position, including turning boats back, as necessary to stem waves of migration by people from war-torn Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, with many dying at sea during the treacherous journey.
