SYDNEY: The United Nations on Friday said it was “troubled” by Australia’s decision to send asylum-seekers arriving by boat to Papua New Guinea (PNG) given conditions there failed to adequately protect refugees.

In it’s first assessment of the hardline policy announced a week ago by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it was concerned greater numbers of asylum-seekers could be sent to the poor and developing nation.

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