Offshore processing - Refugee Council of Australia

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Raising concerns about Australian refugee policy to UNHCR 2017

A core part of the work of the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) is raising concerns about Australian refugee policy. On 21 June 2016, we talked to UNHCR’s Division of International Protection about these issues as part of their consultations with NGOs in Geneva.

The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants reports on Australia

The visit The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, visited Australia and the regional processing centres in Nauru from 1 to 18 November 2016. Consultations were…

Spotlight on Australia’s cruel asylum policy at the Human Rights Council

On 9 June 2017, the Global Human Rights Group, Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) co-hosted a side event during the 35th meeting of the Human Rights Council.

Abuse, self-harm and neglect on Manus and Nauru: Senate Inquiry Report 2017

The Australian Senate has conducted an inquiry into 'serious allegations of abuse, self-harm and neglect' of people seeking asylum at Nauru and Manus regional processing centres (RPCs). The Senate inquiry…

Unauthorised $2.2bn spent on offshore detention centres: flaws in the immigration department

The Australian government’s independent auditor has delivered a scathing review condemning the Department of Immigration and Border Protection for spending an unauthorised $2.2bn on its offshore detention programs.

Human Rights Watch condemns Australian detention policy: 2017 Report

The 27th annual Human Rights Watch Global Report highlights the violence, depression and hopelessness experienced by refugees and people seeking asylum on Manus Island and Nauru.

What we learnt from Senate estimates – and what we didn’t

What are Senate estimates? The Australian government include estimates of what it expects to spend in the legislation that funds the government’s work (known as the ‘appropriation bills’). This usually…

Briefing on lifetime visa ban

The Migration Legislation Amendment (Regional Processing Cohort) Bill 2016 was introduced into Parliament on 8 November 2016 and passed the House of Representatives on 10 November 2016. It is now…

An island of despair: Amnesty International’s report on Nauru

Are we torturing people on Nauru? Yes, according to Amnesty International, in its recent report Island of Despair. This report was based on interviews with refugees on the island, people who worked for companies that provided services in Nauru under Australia government contracts, and others concerned within the Australian community.

At what cost? The true cost of Australia’s refugee policies

What is the true cost of Australia's refugee policies? UNICEF Australia and Save the Children recently released a report, 'At What Cost?', setting out the extraordinary human, monetary and reputational…