NFPs welcome Australia’s pledge to ratify torture treaty

Prisons and juvenile justice and immigration detention centres across Australia will soon be monitored by independent inspectors with the federal government promising to ratify an anti-torture treaty.

Children’s charity, UNICEF Australia, welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that it will ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

The government will work with states and territories to launch the network of inspectors after pledging to ratify the UN convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishments by the end of this year.

It’s understood the new oversight measures only apply to detention centres on Australian soil, not necessarily those immigration facilities on Manus Island or Nauru.

Ratifying the treaty known as OPCAT was a positive step in protecting people in detention, said Australian Human Rights Commissioner Ed Santow.

Problems in places of detention could have catastrophic consequences.

“OPCAT is about making sure we understand those problems before they escalate into serious mistreatment and worse,” Santow said.

“OPCAT can also shine a light on the best practices in detention facilities, so they can be rolled out more broadly.”

Australia needs a stronger, more independent system of safeguards around conditions in places of detention, says the Human Rights Law Centre.

“Implemented properly, (this treaty) will promote safe, well-managed places of detention. It will reduce mistreatment and risks of deaths in custody.”

Nicole Breeze, Director of Policy and Advocacy at UNICEF Australia said, “Detention settings are punitive and create conditions that increase the risk of abuse, especially for children, who are particularly vulnerable. Liberty is a fundamental human right and depriving children of their liberty carries serious responsibilities.”

“Recent events at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre and similar reports involving other youth detention centres across Australia indicate that children have been subjected to extended periods of isolation and mechanical restraints. This is unacceptable and demonstrates a real need for improved practices through monitoring and accountability,” she said.

“The Federal Government’s commitment to ratify OPCAT is a significant and positive development.  Preventative monitoring will ensure better protection for children who are held in places of detention. This development enhances Australia’s commitment to the UN Convention Against Torture which binds Australia to treat people humanely under international law.”

AAP

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