Australia's asylum seeker policies have been heavily criticised at a session of the UN's leading human rights body in Geneva.

Key points: Australia's asylum seeker policies heavily criticised at UN human rights review

Australia's asylum seeker policies heavily criticised at UN human rights review Concerns raised about detention of asylum seekers on Christmas Island, Manus Island and Nauru

Concerns raised about detention of asylum seekers on Christmas Island, Manus Island and Nauru Australia's delegation says border policies have saved lives at sea

Australia's delegation says border policies have saved lives at sea Expert says Australia is a "pariah" on human rights issues

More than 100 countries spoke during the three-hour session, with many calling on Australia to abide by international law.

Australia's border control policies, which have seen asylum seekers — including children — detained on Christmas Island, Manus Island and Nauru were a key point of contention.

The criticism came amid unrest on Christmas Island following the death of an asylum seeker who tried to escape the immigration detention centre.

This is the second time Australia has faced a periodic review by the Human Rights Council, which looks at every country's record once every four years.

The United States called on Australia to "closely monitor" the offshore processing of refugees and asylum seekers.

"We encourage Australia to enter humane treatment and respect for the human rights of asylum seekers, including those processed offshore in Papua New Guinea and Nauru," the US delegate said.

The United Kingdom said Australia's Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights should be tasked with overseeing and implementing the UN's human rights recommendations.

Turkey's delegate said: "We remain concerned about Australia's protection of the rights of migrants, especially of women and children at offshore facilities."

Sweden's delegate told the session that Australia was the only country in the world that used offshore processing and mandatory detention of asylum seekers.

"Norway remains concerned about reported conditions for asylum seekers detained in offshore processing centres. Norway recommends that asylum seekers claims are processed in accordance with the UNHCR convention," Norway's delegate said.

Similar criticisms were heard from countries including the Canada, Fiji, France, Germany and Switzerland.

Policies have saved lives at sea: Australian delegation

Australia's delegation, which included former immigration minister Philip Ruddock, was given several opportunities to respond.

Official Steve McGlynn said Australia's border policies had saved countless lives at sea.

"The ensuring substantial and sustained reduction in maritime ventures as a result of Australia's managed approach to migration has resulted in Australia being able to settle more refugees for our humanitarian programs," he said.

Sorry, this audio has expired Fran Kelly speaks to lawyer Benedict Coyne

Benedict Coyne, from the national committee of the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, said there was a very high level of concern about the mistreatment of asylum seekers.

"There were a number of states that were, basically, asking that the camps and the detention centres on Nauru and Manus be closed immediately, and all children be removed from detention centres," he told RN Breakfast from Geneva.

"That was absolutely a main theme of concern, as were protecting the rights of indigenous people."

Professor Sarah Joseph from the Castan Centre said Australia's treatment of asylum seekers had drawn the attention of the world.

"Today it was manifestly clear that we are not role models on issues of asylum. We are pariahs," she said.

Discrimination against Indigenous people was another concern raised during the review, with Denmark flagging concern at the "the high percentage of Aboriginal children between the ages of 10 to 12 years held in detention centres".

The United Kingdom and others also called on Australia to adopt national legislation to prohibit disabled people from being sterilised without their consent.

Australia recently launched a bid for a seat on the council for a three-year period starting in 2018.