Support the recommendations in the HREOC report
Recommendation 1 of the HREOC Inquiry is that:
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"Children in immigration detention centres and residential housing projects as at the date of the tabling of this report should be released with their parents, as soon as possible, but no later than four weeks after tabling."
The other recommendations can be read in the HREOC report itself, or in our June 10 Declaration. Read the Government's response to HREOC report. The Government has confirmed that this press release IS its response to the HREOC report - a more detailed response will not be forthcoming.
HREOC found we are breaching our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which we signed in 1990. We are failing a child's right to:-
- Be detained as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time
- Be protected from physical and mental violence
- Have their mental health and development promoted and protected
- Not be subject to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
- Enjoy the highest attainable standard of healthcare
- An appropriate education on the basis of equal opportunity
- A "full and decent life" for children with disabilities
- Receive special protection and assistance if unaccompanied
Minister Vanstone dismissed the report as "disappointing, unbalanced, backwards looking". Conditions have improved for detainees over the last three years. They no longer get called by numbers or are subject to headcounts during the night. Some children are allowed to attend external schools.
BUT the system that permitted such systemic child abuse is still in place�. IT HAS TO GO!!!
Talk to your friends and family and workmates
"Public opinion" changes one person at a time. Our government does respond to community sentiment on all issues, no matter what spin politicians put on their policy decisions.
At some point each of us first heard how children were being treated in our immigration detention centres. Many of the people we meet and talk to will not yet know the facts. The chances are they will share our shock and dismay when they do. We can't rely on evening news bulletins and front page headlines to tell the stories of the children. But we can tell the people we know, and ask them in turn to do the same.
We can also contact our politicians, writing letters, emails, or asking to meet with them in person to let them know what we want them to do in response to the HREOC report.
Amnesty International Australia action
Government fails to meet primary recommendation of HREOC Report that all children be released from immigration detention
11 June 2004, Amnesty International Australia.
Amnesty action 2 July 2004
There still remains 100 children in detention, some of whom have been detained for over 3 years. Mandatory detention laws are still firmly in place in Australia. Children continue to languish on Nauru. Join us in calling on the Australian government to release all children and their families from detention.
TAKE ANOTHER STEP
Write a letter in your own words to the Prime Minister. Click here for details
ADDITIONALY,
If you haven't signed on already, stay informed by subscribing to our free Amnesty International Australia Refugee e-bulletin.
Please write politely worded letters urging the Australian Government to immediately implement the recommendations of the HREOC report. You may wish to draw on the information above rebutting the Government�s criticism of the report and make the following points:
� That the Government immediately release all children and families from immigration detention in Australia and on Nauru;
� That instead of criticising the HREOC report, it should implement its recommendations including amending the laws relating to immigration detention so that: there is not a presumption that undocumented children will be detained; any detention of a child will be reviewed within 72 hours by an independent Court or Tribunal; and that there are minimum standards legislated for the treatment of children in detention.
� That the Government, as a priority, implement alternatives to detention including broadening and improving the visa regime so children and their parents can be easily released from detention; and
� That the Government release all children and their families from detention on Nauru by providing them with protection in Australia.
ADDRESS AND SEND YOUR APPEALS TO:
Prime Minister
The Hon John Howard MP
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Fax: 02 6273 4100
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Attorney General
The Hon Philip Ruddock MP
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Fax: 02 6273 4102
Salutation: Dear Attorney General
Minister for Immigration and Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs
Senator Amanda Vanstone
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Fax: 02 6273 4144
Salutation: Dear Minister
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Rural Australians for Refugees action
Respond to the Urgent Action Bulletin from Rural Australians for Refugees
A Just Australia action
Answer these calls for urgent action from A Just Australia:
Get the last kids out now - Support our call for urgent action
On 5 May 2004, the latest figures available to A Just Australia, show that there are still 151 children in immigration detention and more than half have been there since before the Human Rights Commission started its Inquiry nearly two and a half years ago.
We have urged the Government to implement the major recommendation of the Inquiry - to get the remaining kids out of detention within four weeks of today.
Even if you have done so a hundred times in the past, or never bothered before, this time ring, write or email your local Federal Member to tell them to make sure that they insist that the last kids come out of detention now.
Further information is on our website www.ajustaustralia.com. This week, and for the fortnight from 24 May, all politicians will be in Canberra, and the number at Parliament House is 02 6277 7111.
Write a letter to your Federal MP
A formal letter, posted to your local member, makes a big difference, and a bigger difference than a quick email. At http://www.ajustaustralia.com/thingsyoucando_writealetter.php you will find a little website device that helps you write a formal letter on the issues, lets you customise the letter to say what ever you like, and then simply print it and post it.
We've provided some model paragraphs about the Human Rights Commission's report - please get these letters done this week, and tell your friends and family too!
Attorney General Ruddock must stand aside
As Immigration Minister Mr Ruddock was responsible for these abuses, and now as Attorney-General he is being asked to review and manage the recommendations of a major Report into the abuses.
I doubt many Australians would feel comfortable with this situation, but would see it as clearly inappropriate for Mr Ruddock to now sit in judgement on his own behaviour. He has a clear conflict of interest.
The only resolution to this conflict is for Mr Ruddock to assign or delegate his authority as Attorney-General to another Minister who could bring independence to the handling of the measures needed to deal with the Report findings.
It is perverse in the extreme that Mr Ruddock could escape accountability because he has changed portfolios, and even more absurd that as Attorney-General he how has to sit in judgement on his own behaviour.
This is a clear conflict of interest and offends basic democratic principles and principles of Ministerial responsibility and good government.
On talkback radio, or in a direct phone call to his office, tell Ruddock to take responsibility, say sorry and stand aside: Phillip Ruddock, Attorney General, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.