UN weighs in on outcry over reports Australia paid people smugglers

Source: Guardian

UN weighs in on outcry over reports Australia paid people smugglers

UN high commissioner for refugees is reported as saying passengers have confirmed Australia paid people smugglers to return asylum seekers to Indonesia

Shalailah Medhora
Saturday 13 June 2015 22.32 EDT

The United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) has weighed in on allegations that Australian authorities paid off people smugglers, as Indonesia issues Australia with a “please explain” notice.

Allegations emerged last week that the Australian government paid people smugglers who were taking 65 asylum seekers to New Zealand to turn the boat around and return to Indonesia in late May.

The UNHCR has reportedly confirmed the allegations, after speaking with passengers aboard the vessel. Guardian Australia has sought comment from the agency’s representatives in Australia, but is unable to independently verify that any payments have been made to people smugglers.

The Australian Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, has told Guardian Australia that the party will write a letter to the Australian federal police asking the agency to investigate whether making such payments breaches domestic and international law.


Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/14/united-nations-weighs-in-on-outcry-over-reports-australia-paid-people-smugglers