Police in Nauru have claimed protesting refugees "used their children as shields" from being arrested and denied claims by refugee advocates of police brutality during widespread unrest on the island this week.
Nearly 200 refugees were arrested on Tuesday after Nauruan police stepped into quell public demonstrations by a group of former asylum seekers who have been resettled on the tiny Pacific island.
They were protesting at living conditions that include a ban on refugees visiting schools, the island hospital, the harbour or the airport.
The unrest ignited just as preparations were being made for asylum seekers in the Australian-run detention centre to be granted freer access outside the camp.
Nauru Police said on Friday that all 183 people had been released, with 174 of those charged and given bail.
"All were charged with unlawful assembly with some charged with serious assault, assaulting of police, damaging property, damaging of police vehicle and obstruction of police in the execution of their duty," police said in a statement.
Refugees were made to sign bail agrements with $500 sureties for breaking conditions imposed, which media reports say includes a ban on gathering in groups of more than three.
The statement said police wished to "clarify misleading reports" about the protest, saying there was a right to demonstrate on Nauru.
"The way these refugees were acting not only obstructed people and vehicles but created fear by throwing of rocks and other behaviour. It should also be noted that the behaviour of the refugees by shouting and raising their arms in an aggressive manner has caused fear in the community. Nauruans are a peaceful people and we do not culturally behave this way," police said.
"Reports of children being taken into custody are false. Some refugees used their children as shields when being arrested, but these children were moved by police and given to the care of case workers. Children were not taken into custody."
Police claimed they "acted respectfully and lawfully at all times" but the statement is in contrast to the claims made by refugee advocates who monitor events on the island.
Ian Rintoul of the Refugee Action Coalition said: "Harrowing stories of robbery, mistreatment and appalling jail conditions have emerged since the refugees' release. No food was provided for the prisoners for 24 hours during their incarceration. In some cases the refugees were also without water for 24 hours.
"Nauruan police have also stolen mobile phones and hundreds of dollars from the property of those in custody. There are numerous allegations of heavy-handedness and beatings by police and threats against the refugees," he said.
"The Nauruan government has allowed Australia to turn Nauru into a prison colony for refugees."
