Australia has been accused by an international human rights organisation of violating international law through its "hard-line" immigration policies.

Key points: Amnesty criticises Australia's "harsh" approach to asylum seekers

Amnesty criticises Australia's "harsh" approach to asylum seekers Report says opening of Nauru led to human rights abuses

Report says opening of Nauru led to human rights abuses Manus Island also highlighted as concern

Manus Island also highlighted as concern Dutton says policies stopped flow of asylum seekers risking lives at sea

In its annual report released today, Amnesty International named Australia as one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific violating international law by "forcibly returning people to countries where they would face a real risk of serious violations".

Citing an "ongoing harsh approach towards refugees and asylum seekers", the report also highlighted the allegation of rape and sexual assault in Nauru's offshore processing centre.

"In March, the Government released an independent review of the Nauru centre, which documented allegations of rape and sexual assault including of children as well as cases of harassment and physical assault," it stated.

"The Australian Government accepted all of the recommendations, but despite this in August a Senate report stated conditions were not adequate, appropriate or safe."

It also mentioned:

The opening of the centre had led to "numerous human rights abuse"

The opening of the centre had led to "numerous human rights abuse" The lack of a child protection framework

The report also cited concerns over "prolonged and arbitrary detention" on Manus Island.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has recently defended the Government's immigration policies, telling Parliament the measures had stopped the flow of asylum seekers risking their lives at sea.

Mr Dutton has also defended offshore processing, saying the Government would "not be held to ransom" on the issue.

The recent report comes in the wake of Human Rights Watch's annual report, which urged the Federal Government to rethink its "abusive" policies on asylum seekers and refugees.

The organisation's Asia director Brad Adams called on Australia to redeem its reputation, citing a "harsh" turn-back policy as well as mandatory detention for unauthorised arrivals and allegations of sexual assault within immigration detention centres.

"Australia needs to seriously rethink its abusive refugee policies and take steps to restore its international standing as a rights-respecting country," Mr Adams said.