Government spurns UN review on asylum

06 June 2011 | 05:42:09 PM| Source: AAP

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Julia Gillard is standing firm despite opposition to her asylum policies on all sides of politics. (AAP)

The federal government has officially rejected the call of a major United Nations review of Australia's human rights record to reconsider the mandatory detention of asylum seekers.

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Australia was this year required to undergo its first so-called Universal Periodic Review (UPR), conducted by the UN Human Rights Council.

All of the UN's 192 member countries are required to undergo a UPR, which aims to probe every aspect of a country's human rights record, every four years.

About 50 countries participated in Australia's review and made 145 recommendations, urging better treatment of asylum seekers, Aboriginal people and same-sex couples.

The government's response to the review, released on Monday, accepts in whole or part almost 90 per cent of the recommendations.

But it rejects calls for changes to the detention and treatment of asylum seekers.

"The Australian government considers mandatory detention an essential component of strong border control, which manages risks to the community," the response says.

"Mandatory detention is based on unauthorised arrival and not on individuals seeking asylum."

The government said it took care to ensure people in detention were treated with dignity and respect.

No human rights act

The government also rejected calls for a comprehensive national Human Rights Act.

"The Australian government considers that existing mechanisms, together with new requirements under Australia's Human Rights Framework, provide for the protection and promotion of human rights," it said.

The government pledged to systemically review its reservations to various human rights treaties.

It also said it was exploring the possibility of appointing a national children's commissioner.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said the government would work with the international community to promote and protect fundamental human rights at home and across the world.

"Australia has a strong human rights record and this was acknowledged by many countries on the Human Rights Council," Mr Rudd said in a statement.

"The Universal Periodic Review is a good opportunity to demonstrate that when it comes to human rights, equality and opportunity, we can always achieve more."
 

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Your Comments

07 Jun 2011 1:29 AEST

Trent.

From: Blue Mts. NSW

To hell with the UN clowns.

If as stated in the article above, mandatory detention is based on " Unauthorised Arrival " then there is nothing standing in the way of immediate deportation being implemented and enforced, so just what may I ask is the problem here ? The Australian government should at all times have the final say in these matters whether right or wrong, and NOT the UN or any other do-gooding organization. At least Gillard is starting to show a bit of guts here.!

Agree (3 people agree)
Disagree (2 people disagree)
 

06 Jun 2011 23:50 AEST

Ali

From: Tas

Dont send them back

I can't believe we live in a world where people fleeing conflict, oppression or natural disaster are treated and viewed in the way the above comment suggests. Sadly, it's becoming the norm.

Agree (3 people agree)
Disagree (3 people disagree)
 

06 Jun 2011 23:22 AEST

Zane

From: Brisbane

Naivety

Mal - a true beacon of naivety.

Agree (2 people agree)
Disagree (0 people disagree)
 

06 Jun 2011 19:02 AEST

mal

From: wa

mr

It is Important to keep the UN right out of any Debates..... They Have No idea.about 'Human Rights ' We Really Need to unsign anything we have signed with the 'UN' They really are a waste of space. And What We Want is For All Boat People to be repatriated within 48 hours....Do you Think Malasia Has Signed any of these things.?...Of Course Not.......WE Are The Only Ones Involved.....There Is No need For Camps ..Send the People Straight Back To Where They Came From...People Will Soon realize

Agree (7 people agree)
Disagree (17 people disagree)
 

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