UN slams Aust on asylum seeker treatment

Australia has been condemned by the UN's human rights chief for setting a poor benchmark for its neighbours on how to treat asylum seekers.

During a multi-country discussion about the human rights of migrants, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein also said Australia had set up relocation arrangements for migrants with countries that may be "ill-prepared to offer them any durable solution".

An Australian representative at the meeting defended the policies, saying unscrupulous and criminal behaviour from people smugglers undermined rights to protection and dignity and must be met with a firm response.