Australia should shift its focus from deterring asylum seekers to finding a regional solution that protects refugees, a panel of international legal and migration experts has recommended.
A report from the Colloquium on Refugees, Regionalism and Responsibility calls on the federal government to adopt a more compassionate approach.
The regional representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Richard Towle, told the forum many of Australia's policies and approaches ran the risk of harming refugees, as well as undermining relationships with key actors in the region.
A united front was "fundamental" to effectively and humanely handling refugees.
More than 25 experts attending the forum in August agreed that regional players needed to share the responsibility and consider equity, reciprocity, solidarity and a respect for sovereignty.
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The Abbott government already has been criticised in Indonesia for insulting its sovereignty with its hardline policy to turn back asylum seeker boats.
"States that try to impose their own diagnosis and solutions on others will not attract the support of other states, particularly if the concerns of those states are not addressed", Mr Towle said.
The recommendations released on Monday differ from the Houston expert panel, appointed by the Gillard government, which recommended offshore processing in both Malaysia and Nauru.
