Australia asylum-seeker policy criticised by human rights groups

Human rights groups have accused Australia of ignoring the alleged abuse of asylum seekers at a remote island detention facility in a bid to deter future refugees from trying to reach the country by boat.

A scathing joint report by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said detainees on the Pacific island nation of Nauru, where Australia sends asylum seekers, are denied medical care, frequently attempt suicide, and endure physical assaults by locals.

“Australia’s policy of exiling asylum seekers who arrive by boat is cruel in the extreme,” said Anna Neistat, senior director for research at Amnesty International.