Refugees making up abuse: Nauru government

The Nauru government has weighed into controversy surrounding abuse allegations at the island's detention centre, accusing refugees of fabricating claims.

File image of asylum seekers

File image of asylum seekers Source: AAP

The Nauru government has accused refugees and asylum seekers of fabricating abuse claims in order to get to Australia.

Following 2000 incident reports being leaked to the Guardian Australia, the Nauru government has cast doubt over abuse allegations.

"Aust left wing media, greens MPs and advocates still using refugees as pawns for their political agendas. Very sad," the Nauru government's official Twitter account tweeted.

"Most refugee & advocate claims on Nauru fabricated to achieve goal to get to Aust. So called "reports" based solely on these claims #fact."

Last week, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton made a similar argument, saying he was aware of cases where sexual abuse had been made up because people wanted resettlement on the mainland.

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the Nauru government's response highlighted the need for an independent inquiry.

"It's so disappointing that those who are brave enough to report their assaults are then called liars by the very people who are supposed to be protecting them," she said.


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Published 16 August 2016 2:32pm
Source: AAP


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