UN refugee agency criticises Australia over asylum seekers

Friday February 1, 10:01 PM

GENEVA, Feb 1 (AFP) - The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday urged the Australian government to review its policy of detaining asylum seekers and voiced concern about attempts to swiftly repatriate Afghans among them.

The Australian government was accused by religious and human rights groups on Thursday of running a "concentration camp" for asylum seekers and has faced severe international and domestic criticism since it turned away a boatload of mainly Afghan refugees in August.

"Recent events in Australian immigration detention centres are a stark reminder of the concerns of the international community regarding the detention of asylum seekers," the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud Lubbers, said.

The UNHCR said in a statement its governing Executive Committee, of which Australia is a member, had set down policy guidelines opposing the detention of all asylum seekers.

"While recognising the legitimate concerns of governments to protect national security, the guidelines state that the detention of asylum seekers -- especially children -- is inherently undesirable," it said.

The UNHCR said it was "concerned about calls in Australia for a speedy return of asylum seekers to Afghanistan".

It warned of "a precarious security situation in some parts of Afghanistan, as well as continued problems faced by some of Afghanistan's ethnic groups".

The Australian government warned on Friday that asylum seekers who refused its offer of cash to resettle in Afghanistan could be sent home without it.

On Wednesday Australian Prime Minister John Howard offered 4,000 Afghans -- including 1,100 in detention centres -- cash payments to return home.

The proposal came after a two-week hunger strike by more than 200 Afghans detained at an isolated refugee compound.

Around 20 of the inmates, including 11 children, attempted or threatened suicide. Several sewed their lips together in protest at the suspension of their claims for sanctuary and conditions at the grim Woomera camp.

The UNHCR welcomed the end of the protest and said it could not condone acts of self-mutilation.

But it added that it was "greatly concerned" about public vilification of asylum seekers.

It urged governments "to show leadership in providing accurate up-to-date information on asylum seekers and promoting a public debate based on facts rather than negative stereotyping".