�For God's sake, stop damaging detainee kids and set them free�
Report finds treatment of children �cruel, inhuman and degrading�
The Catholic Commission for Justice, Development and Peace (CCJDP) called on the Federal Government to release 153 detainee children and their parents immediately. The CCJDP�s call comes as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission released the report of its inquiry into children in detention, finding treatment of children �cruel, inhuman and degrading�.
The CCJDP disputed the Government�s earlier claims that the plight of detainee children was in the past or that there were only seven children left in detention. Recent figures show that 153 children in Australia and Nauru are denied their freedom. The CCJDP expressed particular concern about the plight of a 13-year-old Iranian boy who is suicidal and has been the subject of twenty child protection notifications recommending his removal from detention. He is still being held in Baxter Immigration Detention Centre.
The Commission�s Executive Officer, Marc Purcell said: �It is wrong for Australia to lock up children. For God�s sake, stop damaging detainee kids� lives. We call on the Government to give the children and their parents freedom immediately.�
�The Human Rights Commission found that a prison culture prevails in detention and is very unsafe and damaging to children. All the experts agree that the mental health of children suffers when they are locked up,� he said.
�The tragedy is that it need not be so. The Immigration Minister and the Department of Immigration have always had the powers to remove children and their parents from high security detention. Former Minister Ruddock failed to act in the best interests of children and the current Minister, Amanda Vanstone, is not acting quickly enough, � he said.
�A Better Way is possible. Welfare agencies are ready to work to assist the Government in caring for children and their parents, � he said.
NUMBERS OF CHILDREN IN DETENTION 5/5/04 Source:www.chilout.org
| Nauru offshore detention centre | 70 children |
| Villawood detention centre | 36 children |
| Port Augusta housing project* | 18 children *Women and children�s detention centre. |
| Christmas Island detention centre | 16 children |
| Baxter detention centre | 11 children |
| Maribyrnong detention centre | 2 children |
| Port Hedland detention centre | 0 children |
| Perth detention centre | 0 children |
| Other (foster care, motel, hospital etc.) | up to 98 children |
| Total: | At least 153 children in formal detention |
Note: housing project, motel and hospital detainees are under 24hr guard and have no freedom of movement.
Full details of the welfare agencies costed policy alternatives to detention can be viewed at: http://www.melbourne.catholic.org.au/ccjdp/pdf/ImprovingOutcomesandReducingCostsforAsylumSeekers.pdf