Bowral's Henrietta Rose Room was packed to capacity as residents turned out to hear the Commissioner share his impressions of the Human Rights Commission's recent inquiry into the treatment of asylum seekers.

The report, to be released next month, looks at whether the Australian government's treatment of asylum seekers has breached international law, particularly the rights of the child.

In his speech at the RAR meeting, Commissioner Ozdowski shared his impressions of the mandatory detention system and his concerns for the welfare of the refugees living in detention.

In particular Commissioner Ozdowski focused on the effects of mandatory detention on mental health, and the impact on children living in detention for extended periods of time.

"I think the mandatory detention system as we've got it lacks the sophistication needed to run it and because of it, it could be very inhuman," he said.

"For example, the convention of the rights of the child says a child should be detained for the shortest possible period of time...in some circumstances we are keeping children in detention for up to five years.

"From my point of view...it clearly breaches a whole range of human rights obligations Australia has agreed to abide to."

Commissioner Ozdowski also encouraged local residents concerned about the state of the mandatory detention system to voice their concerns.

"If people think the system we've got is unfair, they should let their views be known to their local politicians and become involved in action groups such as RAR," he said.

"RAR are an excellent grassroots movement and I commend them for their work."

RAR spokesperson Dr Helen McCue said they were pleased with the response of the public to Commissioner Ozdowski's talk.

"There has been a change in public opinion and attitude in recent times to the refugee issue," she said.

"RAR will continue to educate the public about the ongoing detention situation and will lobby the government for the implementation of the Commission's recommendations."