[Greens-Media] Greens back Ozdowski's call for more detention investigation

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

Thursday 30 October 2008

Greens back Ozdowski's call for more detention investigation

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has lent support to comments by a
former human rights commissioner, backing his calls for more
investigation into Australia's treatment of asylum seekers.

Dr Sev Ozdowski, the former head of the Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission, has recommended deeper investigation into
immigration detention, and for compensation to be considered for those
who suffered under it.

"The Greens are asking Immigration Minister Evans to urgently set up a
Royal Commission into the way Australia's immigration policies have
affected asylum seekers," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"A Royal Commission will bring together independent legal minds with
expertise in human rights law, and facilitate the scrutiny needed to
sufficiently understand the scope of the damage caused by mandatory
detention.

"The individuals who supported and administered these inhumane practices
must be held accountable, and we must learn from their consequences,
such that they are never repeated."

Senator Hanson-Young said that various forms of ongoing support and
compensation for those who had been detained should be matters for
consideration by a Royal Commission.

"We already know that cases of obvious psychological trauma were
flagrantly and repeatedly ignored by those in positions of power," she
said.

"Current parliamentarians carry a responsibility to assist people
affected by their time spent locked up in detention centres in past
years.

"It's important that Australia continues to be aware of the price paid
by people in detention, especially children, and investigate how to make
amends.

"The Greens will continue to campaign for transparency and
accountability on these crucial matters of human rights and justice, and
ensure that we do not simply turn a blind eye to this dark chapter in
our history books."

Media contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760