Glasgow 2014 Media Briefing - Australia

Australia: Where asylum seekers fleeing inhumane treatment are placed in appalling detention centres

'The Australian Government’s policies around asylum seekers and refugees are bereft of any kind of respect for human rights. Australia’s transfer of asylum seekers to process their claims in detention facilities in Nauru and on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, means sending people to countries where they are subjected to human rights violations. The practice violates Australia’s obligations under both international refugee and human rights law and standards.

Refugees and asylum seekers in the Australian-run detention centre in Nauru are living in cramped conditions, suffering from both physical and mental ailments, and routinely have their human rights violated. Recently leaked medical reports have shown that children detained on Nauru have no access to child protection services, appropriate inoculations or critical life-support systems, putting their health and lives at risk. The deliberately harsh, humiliating conditions are designed to pressure asylum seekers to return to their country of origin, regardless of whether or not they were refugees.

Across the world, people are fleeing horrific human rights abuses. They are leaving their homes –  not because they want to –  but because to stay would mean persecution, torture and death. These are people who need to be supported and treated with respect whilst their claims for asylum are processed efficiently, protecting their human rights.'

Siobhan Reardon – Programme Director, Amnesty International Scotland

Amnesty spokesperson available throughout the Games with daily briefings.

Download the media briefing below.