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![]() ![]() ![]() UN wants envoy to see Woomera
![]() From AAP
05feb02
THE United Nations is so concerned by the Australian Government's treatment of asylum seekers it wants to send a special envoy to examine conditions at Woomera detention centre.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson met with Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in Geneva today and told him she was worried by reports she had received from the ACTU, a host of non-government organisations and church groups.
Mrs Robinson said she was concerned there were human rights issues that were not being addressed.
Mr Downer was reportedly surprised by her request that Indian Supreme Court judge S Rajendra Babu be allowed to inspect the Woomera centre and said it had been sprung on him today.
He said he could not make any comment until he had spoken with the Government.
As a matter of protocol, the UN always asks a government if it can send in a special envoy but Mr Downer could not comment on whether the government would co-operate.
Mr Downer travelled to Geneva to speak with Mrs Robinson on unilateral and bilateral human rights issues and also met the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to discuss people smuggling.
He is due to co-host a conference on people smuggling in Indonesia later this month.
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