Home affairs attempt to avoid oversight in immigration detention must be rejected
A Senate committee will today hear evidence about new laws that would allow the Morrison Government to stifle criticism of immigration detention, and cut off crucial support for the people detained. In a submission to the inquiry, the Human Rights Law Centre called for Parliament to reject the proposed laws.
Across Australia, hundreds of refugees and people seeking asylum are being held indefinitely in crowded detention centres and converted hotels. Many were transferred to Australia from Nauru or Papua New Guinea for medical treatment.
The Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2020 would give the Minister for Home Affairs sweeping, unchecked powers to ban almost any item in detention, including mobile phones.
David Burke, Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre, labelled the Government’s grab for power as unjustified and harmful.
“Abuse thrives behind closed doors. At its heart, these proposed laws are an attempt by the Government to stop us seeing what is really happening in immigration detention. Parliament must reject this attack on transparency.”
The Government’s attempt to cut contact for people in detention comes as the risk of COVID-19 is increasing in areas where some detention centres are located. Since the pandemic began medical experts have called for the Government to release people held in immigration detention to protect against the risk. In a report released this week the Commonwealth Ombudsman also called for the Government to reduce the number of people held in detention due to the threat of the virus.
“Because of existing COVID-19 restrictions, people in detention are being blocked from seeing their loved ones in person. People’s personal phones have become an even greater lifeline to their family, friends and legal support. Instead of fighting to remove this crucial support, Minister Dutton should be working to urgently release people from detention into safe housing in the community, where they can self-isolate and follow public health advice.”
Media contact:
Michelle Bennett, Communications Director, Human Rights Law Centre, 0419 100 519