Former Labor immigration minister Chris Bowen is being called before a human rights inquiry into children in immigration detention.

The Human Rights Commission is examining the impact of detention on children's mental health and rates of self-harm.

The current Immigration Minister Scott Morrison appeared before the inquiry last month.

Mr Morrison said Labor's policies led to the high number of children in detention and said the former government should also be questioned.

The Commission announced another public hearing will be held on Tuesday in Sydney and Mr Bowen will be called to give evidence.

Mr Bowen was the immigration minister of the then Labor government from 2010 - 2013.

The Commission is expected to complete its inquiry before the end of the year.