Some of the Sri Lankan asylum-seekers aboard an Australian customs ship off Indonesia are genuine refugees in need of protection, a U.N. agency says.

Richard Towle of the United Nations Refugee Agency told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Wednesday several members of the group -- who are refusing the leave the ship for fear being placed in Indonesian detention camps -- have been recognized by the agency as needing protection.

"It's difficult for us to say exactly who's on board and what their background and profile is, but we understand there are a number of cases who are known to (the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees) -- either as refugees or people who have some registration with our organization in southeast Asia," Towle told the ABC.

The situation has turned into an international stand-off because Indonesia has not given permission to UNHCR to board the ship, while Australia and Indonesia are negotiating the refugees' fate.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor told ABC productive discussions are under way, saying, "Those discussions will continue. It's a difficult challenge."