Age assessment in people smuggling cases
Inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offences who say that they are children
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Catherine Branson QC, will conduct an Inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offences who say that they are children.
The majority of these individuals are Indonesian nationals who have worked as crew on boats bringing asylum seekers to Australia, and who have subsequently been investigated for people smuggling offences. The Commission has serious concerns that errors in age assessment procedures may have resulted in some children spending long periods of time detained in adult correctional facilities. The Inquiry will consider all cases where age has been in dispute since September 2008.
Discussion paper
A Discussion Paper is available outlining issues of interest to the Inquiry.
Download in PDF (395 KB)
Download in Word (310 KB)
Submissions
Public submissions to the Inquiry are now closed. Public submissions addressing the terms of reference were due on Friday 3 February 2012.
Other enquiries about this project may be sent to the Commission at the following address: ageassessment@humanrights.gov.au
