2 Nov 2015

UN members to question Nauru on rights concerns

11:09 am on 2 November 2015

A review of Nauru's human rights record this week will give United Nations members a chance to express concerns about issues like press freedom and the treatment of refugees.

Nauru is one of 14 countries being examined as part of the UN Universial Periodic Review process in Geneva.

International rights groups have recently condemned Nauru for what they see as restrictions on media and the poor treatment of refugees and asylum seekers in the Australian-run detention centre there.

The acting head of the UN Human Rights Office for the Pacific, Catherine Phuong, says the review will give members a chance to discuss those issues.

"It is an opportunity for other states to ask questions and to make recommendations and I think this process is important in terms of raising those issues and having an open discussion about them."

Catherine Phuong says there is still a need for Nauru to develop legislation on domestic violence, gender equality, child protection and to abolish the death penalty.

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Photo: 123rf