[Greens-Media] Royal Commission, Bill of Rights needed to right wrongs of immigration detention

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Thursday 9 October 2008

Royal Commission, Bill of Rights needed to right wrongs of immigration
detention

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young's call for a Royal Commission into
immigration detention, to investigate the psychological impact of
Australia's immigration policies on detainees, has been backed by a
leading human rights expert.

The Joint Standing Committee on Migration, of which Senator Hanson-Young
is a member, today heard evidence at a Perth hearing from Curtin
University's Professor Linda Briskman that a Royal Commission is
required to address the negative impact of mandatory detention and to
determine better immigration policies.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: "A Royal Commission would mean we could
ensure that the abuses that have occurred under mandatory detention
never happen again."

"Only with the level of investigation and scrutiny a Royal Commission
would bring will we see a complete picture of the damage caused by
Australia's immigration policies.

"The Government must commit to providing transparency and accountability
on these crucial matters of human rights and justice."

On 3 September, Senator Hanson-Young asked Immigration Minister Chris
Evans if a Royal Commission could be set up specifically to investigate
the psychological effects of immigration detention on children and their
families. 

In response, Minister Evans said the Government was "not convinced that
a Royal Commission - given the cost and the diversion of resources -
would be the best way forward."

Today's parliamentary inquiry hearing also heard from a number of
witnesses that a Bill of Rights should be introduced in Australia to
better protect human rights, including those of asylum seekers.

"Introducing a Bill of Rights is a long-standing Greens policy, and as
such it is encouraging that respected experts agree that such a charter
is necessary in Australia," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"Our country's treatment of asylum seekers has demonstrated the
importance of putting in place a new legal framework for the protection
of human rights.

"We must bring Australia into line with the rest of the world and
enshrine fundamental human rights and responsibilities in law."

Senator Hanson-Young called on the Federal Government to make the
necessary legislative changes to back up its pledge to create a more
humane immigration policy.

"Only with formal changes to legislation will we be assured of human
rights being set in stone, rather than being vulnerable to abuses."

Contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760