Thousands across Australia took part Saturday in protests against the government's tough immigration policy, which has led to the harsh suffering of refugees in detention camps on two Pacific islands six years ago.

The Coalition for Action for Refugees organized protest rallies today in eight Australian state capitals, including the cities of Sydney and Melbourne, and more than a dozen other cities.

Participants in the protests demanded the Australian government bring all asylum seekers to Australia and close the detention camps.

In the capital, Canberra, the protesters raised banners with slogans such as "Bring them here" and "Say them loudly. Say it clearly ... welcome refugees here."

The Coalition for Action for Refugees reported that some 100 incidents of self-harm or attempted suicide among migrants in Nauru have been reported this year, particularly following elections in May that left the conservative coalition Power in Australia.

The protests come as Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marabi, who is scheduled to arrive in Canberra on Sunday, has asked for a specific deadline for closing refugee detention camps.

On 19 July 2013, the Australian government adopted a strict policy of placing irregular migrants arriving in camps in the island of Nauru (Nauru) and Manos Island of Papua New Guinea.

There are still 900 migrants held in these camps, despite widespread criticism of Australian government policy.