Human rights groups have long called on Australia to abandon its offshore detention policy, calling the practice a violation of the country's international human rights obligations. Human rights groups accused Australia on Wednesday of deliberately ignoring the alleged abuse of asylum seekers being held at a remote Pacific island detention facility in a bid to deter future refugees from trying to reach the country by boat. Australia refuses to accept any asylum seekers who attempt to reach its shores by boat. Australia's Department of Immigration and Border Protection criticized the rights groups for not consulting with the government while preparing the report. But researchers from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said they were able to enter the country last month, spending 12 days interviewing 84 refugees and asylum seekers.

Source: ABC News August 03, 2016 07:13 UTC