NAURU (Radio New Zealand International/Pacific Media Watch): An independent report has confirmed cases of mistreatment and abuse of asylum seekers at an Australian-run detention centre in Nauru, reports Radio New Zealand International.
The Moss Review, commissioned by the Australian government, found allegations made against 10 Save The Children workers at the camps, most of whom were sacked last year, were false.
But it did find cases of rape, sexual abuse of children and the sale of drugs for sexual favours with some staff at the Nauru facilities to be credible.
The Nauru government said it was disappointed in the service providers at the Australian-run asylum seeker detention camps in the wake of the Moss Review.
The camps, which are managed by multinational company Transfield, are staffed by foreigners and Nauruan locals.
Radio New Zealand International reported the Nauru government said it was deeply concerned about the findings and said it would make resources available to ensure that all recommendations were implemented.
The government said the service providers were meant to ensure people in the camps were treated with care and dignity, and it was clear there must be changes in the way these operations were managed.
It said it strongly condemned sexual assault, violence and any form of intimidation, particularly against those who are vulnerable.
On several occasions in recent months the Nauru government had accused refugee groups of lying and misinformation when they had raised concerns about the welfare of the camp inmates.
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