Fresh report exposes Australia's violations of irregular immigrants, asylum seekers

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) – A fresh report has revealed violations committed by Australia in handling irregular immigrants at its borders.

The report issued by the Commonwealth National Preventive Mechanism on Monday said immigrants are detained in a “dry cell” with no toilets or running water.

The latest report emerges following the UN Human Rights Committee's finding last week that Australia was responsible for violating a human rights treaty by redirecting or transferring asylum seekers to the offshore detention facilities in the Republic of Nauru.

The latest instance of the poor treatment of asylum seekers comes from Western Australia's Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre, which is controlled by the Australian Border Force (ABF), reports SBS News.

The June last year review of the institution discovered that, in addition to limiting support services and family visits, immigrants in the high-security section of the center have limited access to communication channels and timely information.

Approximately 160 asylum seekers are being held at Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre, 29 of whom have been there for more than six years.

Immigrants do not have equal access to facilities, programs, and activities available to the general population.