Religious tensions in asylum camps

Detention centres have seen a breakdown in order

By Phil Mercer BBC correspondent in Sydney

Minority religious groups in Australia's immigration detention centres are being persecuted and physically assaulted by Muslim asylum seekers, according to Amnesty International, the human rights group.

Amnesty believes many are suffering psychological trauma as a result of the constant discrimination they face.

Locked away for months and even years while their applications for asylum are processed, many detainees rely on their faith to help them through this period of uncertainty.

The majority are Muslims, who have access to halal food and attend Mosques established inside Australia's detention centres.

Policy defended

The concern Amnesty International has is for religious groups, such as Christians and Mandeans, who follow the teachings of John the Baptist.

Mandeans, Tamils and other Hindus and Christians are facing violence or threats of violence from certain Islamists with the detention centres Here

Graham Thom, Amnesty International's refugee co-ordinator

They claim to have fled persecution in Iran, where their faith is not recognised. There are more than 100 Mandeans in detention in Australia.

The authorities automatically lock away all asylum seekers - including children - who arrive without the proper documentation and claim refugee status.

The conservative government in Australia has defended the policy of mandatory detention on health and security grounds.

There are currently around 2,500 detainees in camps on the Australian mainland Human rights groups claim some are denied basic religious rights.

'Breakdown of order'

They allege their dietary needs are not met, they are not allowed to celebrate holy festivals and have no access to religious clergy.

Amnesty International's refugee co-ordinator Doctor Graham Thom says intolerance and vilification are now serious problems inside Australia's immigration camps.

"The reports we're hearing say that Mandeans, Tamils and other Hindus and Christians - in particular Christian converts - are facing violence or threats of violence from certain Islamists with the detention centres.

"They are being called infidels. They are being refused access to kitchens and things like that because people think they are unclean as infidels.

"This has escalated at times when there is a serious breakdown of order within the detention centre when there are riots and things like that and these groups, who often refuse to participate in riots, are physically assaulted," Mr Thom said.

Earlier this month a newspaper report in Western Australia alleged a Islamic leader had called for a jihad - or holy war - on the small Mandean community at the Port Hedland detention centre.

The authorities say a number of clashes between rival groups of detainees have taken place and are being investigated.

Officials say it's not clear if religious differences were to blame.