UN to hear of Aust human rights concerns

The UN will be asked to remind Australia that it must share and not shift the responsibility of refugee protection.

In an address to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva late on Friday, Emily Howie of Australia's Human Rights Law Centre will voice concern about the "unlawful and increasingly harsh and punitive treatment" of asylum seekers arriving by boat.

She plans to detail aspects of the the Abbott government's Operation Sovereign Borders, including the practice of boat tow-backs, as well as mandatory detention and agreements with neighbouring countries to prevent boats reaching Australia.

"In addition to mistreating those who arrive, Australia is now actively preventing others from coming," Ms Howie will say.

"By seeking to prevent asylum seekers from arriving and outsourcing its obligations in respect of those that do, Australia is setting an alarming global precedent that must be condemned."

Ms Howie will also mention the death of Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati, who was killed during a February 17 riot at the processing centre on Manus Island.

"We call on the Human Rights Council and member states to remind Australia that refugee protection is a global challenge," Ms Howie will tell the council.