31 Dec 2003

Iraq seeks delay in any repatriation of asylum seekers held on Nauru

11:19 am on 31 December 2003

Iraq's interim justice minister has called for Iraqi asylum seekers being detained in Australia and on Nauru to remain in immigration detention for a few more months before returning home.

Hisham Abderrahman Chalabi says Iraq does not have the capability to receive repatriated people and nor is it able to provide them with housing.

There are currently four Iraqi asylum seekers being held in immigration detention at Port Hedland in Western Australia and 25 being processed on Nauru as part of the Australian government's Pacific Solution.

Some 45 Afghani asylum seekers on Nauru are on hunger strike over decisions that they do not qualify as refugees