Amnesty to attack boat policy at UN

A global human rights group has warned that moves to fast-track a backlog of refugee applications in Australia could harm abused women.

In a submission to a UN committee, Amnesty International argues the Abbott government's asylum-seeker polices are failing to comply with elements of the convention against torture.

It is scathing of legislation to resolve a backlog of more than 24,000 asylum-seeker claims.

Basic screening and reviews will be undertaken within one month after which rapid deportation could occur.

"The fast-track process is a clear example of the erosion of due process and procedural fairness," Amnesty says in its submission.

It points to a similar system in the UK that Human Rights Watch claimed led to adverse outcomes for female victims of abuse who struggled to articulate their claims for protection.

It also led to expert advice and medical reports being ignored.

In July, the British High Court found the system was unlawful and carried an unacceptably-high risk of unfairness.

The Australian government will put its case to a hearing of the UN Committee Against Torture in Geneva on Monday.