Indonesia's foreign minister has told a newspaper that Australia's policy of towing asylum seeker vessels back to Indonesian waters is inhumane.
Marty Natalegawa. Photo: AFP
Marty Natalegawa was speaking after reports a lifeboat carrying 34 people was found drifting ashore in West Java last week.
The ABC aired footage last week of an orange lifeboat carrying refugees being towed by an Australian vessel.
The Jakarta based Kompas newspaper quotes Mr Natalegawa as criticising the Australian government's policy of having the navy tow asylum seeker boats back into Indonesian waters.
He's quoted as questioning whether such measures could be considered the policy of a government which upholds human rights and humanity.
Mr Natalegawa told the newspaper he was studying the reports that vessels were towed to Indonesian waters and may summon Australia's ambassador for clarification.
