1 Nov 2016

UN investigator to assess Australia's migration policies

9:05 am on 1 November 2016

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, arrives in Australia today for an 18 day visit to assess the country's migration programmes and policies.

Australia has been under fire for its offshore processing programme for asylum seekers on Nauru and PNG's Manus Island.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights, Francois Crepeau attends a press conference in Doha in 2013

UN Special Rapporteur Francois Crepeau Photo: AFP

Mr Crepeau said it's an opportunity to understand how Australia manages its overall migration policies, and their impact on the human rights of migrants.

He will meet government officials, civil society, unions, various agencies and the migrants themselves.

He will also visit the centres on Nauru.

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