UN chief concerned over Australia's refugee policy

United Nations leader Ban Ki-moon on Saturday said he had concerns about Australian’s treatment of asylum seekers after its plans to transfer them to Malaysia were blocked by the country’s highest court.

Ban, who is a guest of the Australian government, said the country was in many respects a model United Nations member.

But he added: “Of course there are some concerns on how to deal with immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees,” speaking at a press conference with Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Canberra suffered a humiliating setback last week when its plans to ship up to 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia were knocked back by the High Court, which said asylum-seekers could not be sent to a foreign nation unless it was compelled to adequately protect them.

Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN convention on refugees and rights groups had accused Australia of abandoning its international obligations to asylum-seekers by dumping them in a country without proper protection.

The ruling could have broader ramifications for offshore processing, including Australia’s plan to send asylum-seekers to Papua New Guinea and the possibility of re-opening a detention centre on the Pacific island of Nauru.

Australia, which is pushing for a seat on the UN Security Council, has argued that the policy would have crushed people-smugglers.

The government is taking legal advice on the matter.—AFP