UN Rules Australia Violated Asylum Seekers' Rights

The UN Human Rights Committee has ruled that Australia violated international human rights obligations by arbitrarily detaining asylum seekers, including children, at the Nauru processing center, despite granting them refugee status. The committee emphasized that Australia maintained 'effective control' over the offshore facility and cannot escape its human rights responsibilities by outsourcing asylum processing. Detainees reported severe health issues and inadequate living conditions during their prolonged detention. The committee's findings call for compensation for the victims and a commitment to prevent future violations. The Australian government has yet to respond to the ruling, which underscores the importance of accountability in international refugee policies. This landmark decision serves as a warning to other nations considering similar outsourcing practices for asylum processing.