Australian government plans to move 1,000 refugees, who currently detained in Nauru, to Cambodia for permanent settlement has sparked criticisms from human rights groups, UN officials, and other opposition politicians, reports said.

Some reports indicates the Australian government has denied a refugees resettlement agreement is impending. But explained there will be no "economic upgrades" on where the refugees settled.

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Scott Morrison, the Australian Immigration Minister, hit back at critics and pointed out that
Cambodia is a signatory to the UN Refugee convention and resettlement should not only be a ticket to the first world.

Critics seem to believe that resettlement must be restrained to first-world economies — an economic upgrade and not a safe-haven program, Morrison explained.

However, critics are doubtful to the capacity of Cambodia to provide for the refugees.

Reports said Cambodia is already struggling to feed its own people and the country has a poor human rights record due to the rampant abuses happening to those living on the margins, reports said.

Furthermore, there is also a lack of medical treatment due to extreme poverty and widespread corruption in the government.

Senior Cambodian National Rescue Party politician Son Chhay opposed on the resettlement deal saying Cambodia shouldn't become a “dumping ground” for Australia’s refugees.

Asian Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch Phil Robertson accused the Australian government for violating its obligations to refugees and berating the principles of refugee protection in the region.

Australian Government cannot ensure that refugees will be provided fundamental human rights protection in Cambodia since such protections are already taken for granted in Australia, Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee said in a statement.

Greens immigration spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young told the reporters, now is the time for the parliament to be upfront and block the deal.

TagsAustralia, Cambodia, refugees, deal, critics