UN rights expert to assess situation of migrants in Australia and off-shore detention centres in Nauru
GENEVA (31 October 2016) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, will
visit Australia from 1 to 18 November 2016 to assess the migration programmes, policies and laws developed by the
Australian authorities in recent years.
“This is an opportunity for me to understand how Australia manages its overall migration policies, and their impact on
the human rights of migrants,’’ Mr. Crépeau said announcing his first information-gathering mission to the country
following the postponement of his visit last year.
During his 18-day visit to Australia, the independent expert will meet with a range of government officials responsible
for border management, civil society, trade unions, the Australian National Human Rights Commission, international
organisations, and migrants themselves, to discuss the complex management of Australia’s borders.
Mr. Crépeau will carry out his meetings in Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, and in on-shore detention
centres and the off-shore detention centres in the neighbouring island Republic of Nauru.
At the end of the mission, the UN Special Rapporteur will share his preliminary conclusions at a press conference on 18
November 2016 at 10:30am, at the UN Information Centre, Level 1, 7 National Circuit Barton, Canberra. Access to the
press conference is strictly limited to journalists.
The country mission report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2017.
ENDS