14 June 2006
Time to do the right thing by asylum seekers
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission recommends implementation of Senate Committee Recommendation
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) congratulates the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for its report into the provisions of the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill.
“The Senate Committee has clearly listened closely to the submissions of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and other groups during its Inquiry,” said Graeme Innes AM, Human Rights Commissioner. “The question now is whether the Parliament will listen just as closely to its Senate Committee.”
HREOC made extensive submissions to the Senate Committee regarding the human rights implications of the Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill.
“The Commission recommended that the Bill not pass because it would inevitably result in serious breaches of Australia’s human rights obligations,” said Mr Innes. “If passed, children and their families would again be detained for indefinite periods of time. There is no question that this breaches Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
“Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers is at a cross roads. The tragic cases of Vivian Solon and Cornelia Rau highlighted the fallibility of departmental decision making, and the damaging effect of immigration detention on children and their families is now undeniable. In recent years we have witnessed a significant re-think of Australia’s immigration policies. The government should not undo the good work that has started. Now is the time to do the right thing. This Bill should not pass,” said Mr Innes.
HREOC’s opening statement and written submission to the Senate Committee can be found at: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/legal/submissions/index.html
HREOC investigated the impact of immigration detention in its National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention. The report – A last resort? – was tabled in Parliament in May 2004 (see http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/children_detention_report/ )
Media Contact: Janine MacDonald, 0407 660 235
Last updated 15 June 2006.
