Australia to move Nauru asylum kids by year-end

SYDNEY: Australia will move all asylum-seeker children off the Pacific island of Nauru by the end of the year, officials said on Thursday, but rights groups have called for the government to end the “in limbo” status that accompanies them and their families.

Under a harsh policy meant to deter asylum-seekers from reaching Australia by boat, Canberra sends arrivals to remote Pacific camps on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island for processing, barring them from ever resettling in Australia.

But the government has been “quietly” transferring children off Nauru, amid a public outcry and mounting concerns for their welfare.

“There are hardly any children in Nauru and [Papua] New Guinea and we expect that by the end of this year there will be none,” Australia’s high commissioner (ambassador) in London George Brandis told British talkback radio station LBC on Thursday.

Hundreds of children have been moved from Nauru to Australia for treatment in the past few years, accompanied by their families.

They are scattered throughout the country under varying restrictions — some in onshore detention, some in the community with limited working and education rights — but none are allowed the opportunity to be settled.

“Once people have received their medical assistance, then the expectation is that they will return to their country of origin,” Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said on Thursday when asked about children being moved to Australia.

But rights groups have slammed the government for the “in limbo” status of those brought to Australia, saying Canberra is not offering genuine options. The decision comes amid a string of reports by nongovernmental groups and the media of abuse, depression and suicides on Nauru.