11.   Earlier this month, Robinson met Downer in Geneva to discuss the mandatory detention policy and during the meeting asked if a special envoy could visit Woomera.

12.   Howard refused an offer by Australian welfare groups to house asylum seekers outside camps, saying the policy of mandatory detention was intended to be a deterrent.

13.   Hundreds of people traveled from all over Australia to protest the so-called mandatory detention policy which has drawn criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups.

14.   Howard also refused an offer by Australian welfare groups to house asylum seekers outside camps, saying the policy of mandatory detention was intended to be a deterrent.

15.   Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock later attacked the article saying it contained factual inaccuracies and defended the policy of mandatory detention.

16.   Hundreds of people traveled from all over Australia to protest the so-called mandatory detention policy.

17.   Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock later attacked the article, saying it contained factual inaccuracies and defended the policy of mandatory detention.

18.   Labor leader Simon Crean said Tuesday he still supports mandatory detention but wants to soften its impact on asylum seekers.

19.   Migrant and civil rights groups said the new policy effectively introduced mandatory detention.

20.   On Monday, the opposition Labor Party announced a four-point plan it said was aimed at injecting more compassion into the policy of mandatory detention.