Refugee groups say children are at risk in Malaysia detention The authorities in Australia have announced plans to send unaccompanied children seeking asylum to Malaysia.
They would be held in detention centres while their cases are processed.
Australia's immigration minister, Chris Bowen, said it would send a strong message to deter people-smugglers selling passage to asylum seekers.
The move is part of a controversial swap being negotiated with Malaysia under which some Malaysia-based refugees would be settled in Australia.
"I don't want unaccompanied minors, I don't want children getting on boats to come to Australia thinking or knowing that there is some sort of exemption in place," Mr Bown told ABC TV late on Thursday.
He said it would send a strong message and break the business model of the people smugglers who sell passage to asylum seekers hoping to start a new life in Australia.
He spoke of how he hoped he would never again have to see children buried as a result of an overloaded boat trying to reach Australia's shores. Last December, an asylum-seekers' boat smashed onto rocks at Christmas Island, killing at least 30 people, including children and babies.
However, the plan has sparked outrage and serious fears for the safety of unaccompanied minors - particularly young girls.
Norman Gillespie Unicef Australia“This really looks extremely callous and lacking in all forms of compassion”
Girls are among nine unaccompanied minors currently being held at Australia's offshore detention centre on Christmas Island, and who are in line to be sent to Malaysia.
"The minister forgets that he is legally the guardian of unaccompanied minors," Green Party Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
"The minister, for the sake of a political quick-fix, is prepared to expend the rights and obligations he should be offering to these very, very vulnerable children."
Norman Gillespie, the chief executive for the UN children's agency Unicef in Australia, said he was "dismayed and shocked" by Mr Bowen's announcement.
"This really looks extremely callous and lacking in all forms of compassion," Mr Gillespie told ABC radio.
Amnesty International has said unaccompanied women and girls in Malaysian detention centres are prey to gangs and unscrupulous officials.
Source: Australian Department of Imm
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