Australia government denies asylum seeker abuse claims

A photo taken by Amnesty International shows the inside of a tent housing asylum seekers in Nauru

Australia's government has "strongly" refuted claims it deliberately ignores abuse of asylum seekers.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International released a report criticising conditions at a detention centre on the island of Nauru.

Nauru, the world's smallest republic, holds one of Australia's migrant camps

The report concluded that Australia must intentionally allow abuse of detainees to deter asylum seekers. A statement from the Immigration Department criticised Amnesty for not consulting the government.

"There was no consultation with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection from Amnesty International in preparation of this report," the statement said.

"We strongly refute many of the allegations in the report and would encourage Amnesty International to contact the Department before airing allegations of this kind."

The statement said Australia did not exert control over the laws of Nauru, a sovereign country. It said the Australian government welcomed independent scrutiny of its facilities. Australia transports asylum seekers who arrive by boat to off-shore processing centres in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.