Associated Press

Canberra, January 6

The United Nations said today it would likely approve the refugee claims of 22 Afghan asylum seekers languishing in a Pacific island detention camp, reversing an earlier decision to reject them.

The announcement by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which cited deteriorating human rights conditions in Afghanistan, would put pressure on Australia to reconsider claims it has turned down. Also today, the tiny island of Nauru, where the detention centre is located, claimed Australia ignored the medical needs of Afghan asylum seekers who have been on a monthlong hunger strike.

Canberra set up the camp in late 2001 as part of a hardline policy to discourage boat people from seeking asylum in Australia and asked the UNHCR to help it assess claims. The two groups divide up the applicants and process them separately. UN officials on December 24 started reconsidering the 22 cases they rejected because "the security and human rights situation in certain regions in Afghanistan appears to be progressively and seriously deteriorating."

Many of the detainees have said they cannot return to Afghanistan without fear of persecution and the possibility of death.

"Some cases have already been assessed and the elements appear to be there to warrant them being granted asylum," UNHCR spokeswoman Ellen Hanson said today. The reviews should be finished by early February, she said.

Earlier this month, Australian Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said she would reconsider cases, but only after UN officials back up their security concerns.