Nauru defends human rights record at UN

Transcript

Following allegations of rape and other abuse, Nauru has come under pressure at the United Nations to improve its conditions for asylum seekers on the island.

Its human rights record has been under scrutiny at a meeting in Geneva, as the country continues to face criticism on a number of fronts.

Sally Round reports.

Nauru is undergoing a review of its human rights record as part of the UN's Universal Periodic Review process. Since its last review more than four years ago Nauru has struck a deal with Australia to act as a regional processing centre for asylum seekers and it has copped much criticism for camp conditions, access by the media and its treatment of opposition MPs and judges. The Justice Minister David Adeang who led Nauru's delegation to the UN says Nauru takes its human rights obligations seriously.

DAVID ADEANG: This process provides us the vital opportunity to self assess, to listen to others and to more effectively address the concerns of individuals in our country.

Other countries at the gathering welcomed improvements made by Nauru since its last review like ratifying the UN Convention Against Torture, bringing in policies for people with disabilities and laws like the Cyber Crimes Act. But their concerns centred mainly around the asylum seeker camps and the myriad of issues which have arisen since they opened in 2012. Germany was among those who urged improvements for asylum seekers.

On the situation of asylum seekers and refugees on Nauru take immediate measures to improve the physical conditions and security situation in detention and processing centres for asylum seekers, especially for women and children. Invest in finding timely, adequate, and durable solutions for refugees.

Like many Ireland expressed concern about asylum seeker children.

Furthermore, reports of physical and verbal assaults against unaccompanied refugee minors who are released into the Nauruan community are very worrying. Ireland recommends that Nauru ensure that minors have access to education in a safe environment in line with its obligations under the convention on the rights of the child and other international human rights instruments.

Nauru's Mr Adeang had to put countries straight on the issue of detention saying asylum seekers were now free to move around the island - a policy brought in a month ago and which it had been working on for some time. But Kenya wanted Nauru to go further.

Kenya wishes to make the following recommendations: firstly to review the regional resettlement arrangement with a view to ending or reforming the off shore processing and off shore detention of asylum seekers.

And while the Netherlands commended Nauru on ratifying certain treaties, it still had several concerns about human rights.

We recommend the government of Nauru, one - to abide by its international human rights obligations and to uphold freedom of the press, freedom of information, and freedom of speech. And two, to commit to upholding the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.

New Zealand also had several concerns.

While New Zealand commends Nauru's decision to change the regional processing centre from a closed to an open centre there are ongoing reports of difficulties experienced by asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. New Zealand therefore recommends that Nauru ensure that asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, particularly unaccompanied minors and children, are given all necessary protection and social support.

Fiji was critical of Nauru's restrictions on asylum seekers and wanted to see it take measures to guarantee rights particularly those of women and girls.

Fiji deprecates other restrictions on the rights of asylum seekers in Nauru including the right to use the internet to communicate, the right to be protected from sexual assaults and the right to freedom of assembly, movement and expression.

Mr Adeang stressed the restrictions on social media were to protect people on Nauru and not aimed at preventing asylum seekers from communicating with the outside world.

DAVID ADEANG: It is also a part of our government's efforts to curb the glorification of criminal activities and offences against Nauruan women and children through the posting of distressing images and footage of these individuals in compromising and dehumanising positions.

The minister defended Nauru's US$5000 visa application fee for journalists. He says reporting on the regional processing centre has been far from positive despite Nauru's efforts to make asylum seeker processing work.

DAVID ADEANG: Irresponsible reporting of circumstances in Nauru can tend to undermine the fragile relations between asylum seekers and refugees on the one hand and the Nauruan community who are doing everything they can to make the arrangements work. Anything that can be seen to destabilise those arrangements can incite social disorder.

He also defended the cancellation of the passport of the opposition MP Roland Kun. Mr Kun has not been able to leave the country since June. He has been waiting for his case against the government to go through the courts but says he is yet to be charged for any wrongdoing. Mr Adeang said the passport was cancelled to ensure justice can take its course.

DAVID ADEANG: Additionally the issue concerning the revocation of a passport of a certain MP is to allow the due process of an individual charged with a crime is facilitated and are in line with the laws of Nauru.

After concerns over the removal of members of the Nauru judiciary last year, the UK recommended an independent regulatory commission to oversee appointments. Several like the United States said Nauru should demonstrate its commitment to civil and political rights by ratifying the international covenant on civil and political rights which it signed 14 years ago. Nauru in turn outlined improvements taking place to give Nauruans access to legal advice and court representation for everyone and boosted efforts against domestic violence. Several countries commended Nauru on steps it's taken so far despite its lack of resources. Mr Adeang agreed to uphold the freedom of press, information and speech, uphold the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.

DAVID ADEANG: No country has a perfect record on human rights and governance and Nauru is no different, it is always a work in progress and we will continue to work on improving on cultivating principles and values on building resilience to the many challenges we face every day.

Mr Adeang says Nauru welcomed countries and international organisations to visit the country to see how hard it is working to make regional processing work.