Sydney - Australia yesterday defended its handling of illegal immigrants seeking asylum despite a growing number of riots at its detention centres and protests from human rights groups. Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said the riots could not be blamed on the time it took for Australia to process applications for asylum.
Australia locks away its asylum-seekers in remote, privately run outback detention camps while their requests for refugee status are processed. Many are then sent home.
Three guards were slightly injured on Wednesday in a riot at the Curtin centre in Western Australia state. Human rights groups said the violence, the third such riot this year, was sparked by prolonged detention in cramped and desolate conditions. Australia's mandatory detention policy has also been criticised by the United Nations.
A recent report found that many asylum-seekers appeared to be genuine refugees fleeing persecution in countries such as Iraq or Afghanistan.