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Australian Human Rights Commission media release: 14th December 2010
Concerns raised about Darwin immigration detention facilities
The Australian Human Rights Commission has raised concerns about the
high numbers of families with children and unaccompanied minors being
held for longer periods of time in immigration detention facilities in
Darwin. In a statement on the Commission’s visit to
immigration detention facilities in Darwin, Commission President
Catherine Branson QC said she was concerned about the impacts prolonged
detention were having on the health, education and psychological needs
of children.
She also called on the Australian Government to
stop using the Asti Motel as an immigration detention facility as soon
as possible.
“There were more than 170 people detained in
the Asti Motel when we visited in September, including more than 80
young children and unaccompanied minors,” she said.
“It is a
very cramped environment. The outdoor areas are all paved or concrete
and there are no open grassy areas for children to play.
“The
Commission acknowledges the significant efforts of detention staff who
are working in challenging circumstances,” Ms Branson said.
“The
Commission welcomed the Minister’s October announcement that some
families with children and unaccompanied minors will be moved into
Community Detention.
“However, the conditions of detention
for some children in Darwin underline the need to implement this
initiative as quickly as possible.”
Ms Branson said the
Commission continued to have serious concerns about Australia’s
mandatory immigration detention system, in particular, the increasing
length of time people were spending in immigration detention and the
impacts of prolonged and indefinite detention on people’s mental health.
“The
Commission met with a number of people in detention, including
children, who had experienced significant trauma in their home country
or who had attempted self-harm while in detention,” Ms Branson said.
“The Commission continues to call on the Australian Government to reconsider the mandatory detention system.
“People should only be held in immigration detention if there is a risk that justifies detaining them,” she said.
“If
no such risk exists, they should be allowed to reside in
community-based alternatives to detention while their refugee claims
are assessed.”
The Commission’s statement can be found at www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/immigration/idc2010_darwin.html
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Media contact: Louise McDermott (02) 9284 9851 or 0419 258 597 |
