by Allanah Leahy – EM TV World News
Australia’s human rights record is under fire, despite the nation’s push for a seat on the UN’s Human Rights Council.
UN human rights expert Francois Crépeau postponed his official visit to Australia last Sunday, due to restrictions enforced by Australia’s Border Force Act.
The Act, created this year, prevents the disclosure of medical information on asylum seekers in Australia’s detention centres.
The penalty is a two-year court sentence.
Mr Crépeau condemned the act, as it would interrupt his fact-finding mission into the country’s human rights record.
Crépeau also expressed disappointment at being denied entry repeatedly into Australia’s detention centres, noting their rights under international human rights and humanitarian law.
Australia’s Border Force Act has been protested extensively against by medical professionals since it was passed in May this year.
Human rights abuses have plagued Australia’s detention centres since the Regional Resettlement Arrangement was signed by PNG and Australian governments in May 2013.
