UN urges Australian government to release Tamil family from detention

The Australian government has drawn international scrutiny for holding a Tamil family on Christmas Island. The United Nations' human rights monitor has added to the controversy with an urgent request to release them from immigration detention.

Supporters of the family gather outside the Federal Court in Melbourne. Source: AAP

The United Nations says the Tamil family held on Christmas Island should be released within 30 days.

Australian authorities have been keeping the family of four on Christmas Island while their asylum case awaits a Federal Court hearing.

The UN Human Rights Committee has asked the government to end the family’s detention as an interim measure.

The request was outlined Wed Oct 2 in a letter sent to family lawyer Carina Ford.

Family friend Angela Fredericks says she was glad to see the letter from the United Nations.