The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian has released its advocacy paper setting out a basis for contesting the justification of the current policy to continue to detain 17 year olds in adult correctional facilities. The policy appears to be predicated on the following:
In the Commission’s view, relevant research and evidence does not support the current position on this issue and the policy continues Queensland’s breach of its international legal obligations.
The Advocacy Paper discusses the Commission’s intention to seek the support of the Australian Government to implement the Australian Human Rights Commission’s recommendation to the Committee on the Rights of the Child for Australia to withdraw its reservation to Article 37(c) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
View the full advocacy paper (PDF, 505KB)
- 17 year olds in adult correctional facilities are there because they commit the most serious crimes
- Use of an adult correctional facility is the only way that these young people can be held responsible for their actions
- Adult correctional facilities will protect the community from 17 year olds who are in adult correctional facilities, and
- 17 year olds know the difference between right and wrong.
In the Commission’s view, relevant research and evidence does not support the current position on this issue and the policy continues Queensland’s breach of its international legal obligations.
The Advocacy Paper discusses the Commission’s intention to seek the support of the Australian Government to implement the Australian Human Rights Commission’s recommendation to the Committee on the Rights of the Child for Australia to withdraw its reservation to Article 37(c) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
View the full advocacy paper (PDF, 505KB)
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