The United Nations Committee Against Torture has raised serious concerns about the Australian Government’s immigration policies and about conditions at offshore detention centres at Nauru and Manus Island.
The committee meeting in Geneva has requested a response to criticisms made by Amnesty International and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which described Australia’s offshore detention centres as “cruel” and “inhumane”.
The UN committee has also requested answers to allegations of sexual abuse and the death of Iranian detainee Reza Berati, why Indigenous people are severely over-represented in the country’s jails, and more information about the controversial new counter-terrorism laws.
Committee chair Claudio Grossman raised the committee’s concern regarding Australia’s asylum seeker policies.
“You [Australia] have the control and authority in the [detention] facilities. Australia pays the bills and administers the centres,” Mr Grossman said.
“I understand that there are private contractors… that you hired.
“So under the general principles of international law, it is not convincing to claim that Australia is not responsible for these people [asylum seekers].”
The head of the Australian delegation, John Quinn, told the committee that Australia took its obligations under the convention very seriously.
“Australia welcomes the opportunity provided by this constructive dialogue with the committee over the next two days to reflect on progress achieved and consider possible areas for further improvement,” Mr Quinn said.
Mr Quinn also told the committee the Government’s policy of offshore detention was aimed at preventing deaths at sea.
“In response to increasing numbers of women, men and children lost at sea over recent years while seeking to come to Australia, the Australian Government has strengthened its policies to ensure the protection of migrants, including asylum seekers, and prevent their exploitation at the hands of people smugglers,” he said.
Non-government organisation (NGO) representatives said they were pleased the international spotlight was on Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers.
Daniel Webb from the Human Rights Law Centre was part of a delegation of NGOs who briefed members of the UN committee last week.
“I think it was pretty clear that the committee has got serious concerns when it comes to compliance with this important international human rights treaty,” he said.
“Australia’s form is bad and, in fact, it’s becoming worse.
“The committee was also quite clearly concerned that people are being locked up indefinitely in conditions that the UN refugee agency has repeatedly warned are cruel and inhumane and unsafe.
“One committee member even noted that in the two years since Australia sent the first asylum seeker to Manus, two have died but not one has been processed and re-settled.”
The committee will continue to question the Australia delegation tomorrow and is expected to deliver its recommendations to the Government within weeks.
The UN’s concerns come as Immigration Minister Scott Morrison announced he is setting up a team within his department to investigate and monitor abuse and misconduct by service providers contracted to run detention centres.
This article originally appeared on ABC and has been republished here with full permission.
Top Comments
These allegations need to be investigated accordingly, and Minister Morrison is setting up a team. The current Government have stopped the flow of asylum seekers by boat (well apparently). But, this is merely the first step.
Step 2) Process all asylum seekers in detention accordingly.
Step 3) Close down all onshore and offshore detention centres.
Step 4) Increase our intake of refugees through the UN program.
It's lawful, will save us billions of dollars and morally the right thing to do.
But the left want to see this inhuman trade continuing as they want part of this billion dollar industry.
False.
um........
Something I don't understand when I hear people complaining about the detention centres is, what is the alternative? Do we allow these people to come to Australia, with no paperwork... then what would become of them? Do we trust that they are who they say they are at face value? Isn't it better that where they are now, they have a roof over their heads, they have food in their stomachs and they are away from whatever they were running away from?
What does this mean? Labor only opened the flood gates a little and we got swamped. IF we said "come one , come all" where do they go in the community? What is your number limit? Would 1 million of another non white culture satisfy you? 2 million? Are there any bad people in this world? Do you believe in any screening? What about the cause of the conflicts you say these people are running from? Will they replicate the same "belief" system here? Would new arrivals fit in? Do they treat women with equality? Who will fund their "prayer" lifestyle? Can they eat our food or do we have to change the way our food is made to suit them? Do they acutally like the west, its values, its freedoms? many times you mention that the followers of islam in Australia are different to the followers overseas. But this is because here they are in a minority. Do you think things would change if we suddenly get millions and they become the majority?