Australia must show “political courage” and end the indefinite detention of asylum seekers held on Nauru, the new Pacific representative of the United Nation human rights office of the high commissioner has said. She said Australia’s detention of asylum seekers on Nauru “is unsustainable, it’s a violation and it’s unnecessary”. The Guardian’s publication of the Nauru files has put the treatment and conditions of asylum seekers held on the Pacific island back into the spotlight. She also urged Australia to take up a greater regional role in bolstering the human rights framework of neighbouring Pacific countries. The UN office continues to focus on other aspects of Australia’s approach to human rights.

Source: The Guardian September 16, 2016 22:00 UTC