Australia in row over boats carrying Tamil asylum seekers

Australia is refusing to comment on the fate of more than 200 Tamil asylum seekers reportedly intercepted at sea to the north-west of the country.

Refugee campaigners say two boats carrying the asylum seekers were stopped by Australian authorities in the Indian Ocean and that some passengers were handed over to the Sri Lankan navy.

They say at least 11 of those on board had been tortured in Sri Lanka and it is a violation of international law.

Phil Mercer reports