15 Nov 2012

Comment by UN Commissioner on conditions at Nauru

5:37 am on 15 November 2012

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says hunger strikes at Australia's Nauru detention centre indicate conditions for asylum-seekers there are unbearable.

Asylum-seekers on the island say hundreds of people are refusing food and one man has not eaten for more than a month.

Ms Pillay says she fears Australia's current policy is leading to indefinite periods of detention and may be at odds with the UN refugee convention.