We campaign for changes to law and policy so that those who come to us for asylum are treated with dignity, humanity and in conformity with our international obligations. We are especially concerned that children who are seeking asylum are treated in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Please join our campaign, and seek justice for these children. You can read more about our campaign for change and sign up for our free email newsletter. You can donate here to help keep the campaign going.
Detention statistics - Australia's littlest prisoners
As of 30 November 2011, there were 975 children (aged under 18 years) in immigration detention: 534 were detained in the community under residence determinations. 441 in secure locked facilities including what the government calls, alternative places of detention (mini-detention centres), 119 of these children were detained on Christmas Island.
Despite the Government rhetoric, many children are being detained in locked detention facilities which have been found to cause mental harm and trauma to children. The AMA has likened the current forms of detention to child abuse.