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
Media Enquiries
Chandi Bates
Media and Communications Manager
Crisafulli Government’s shameful adult sentencing laws will harm kids, families, and communities
The Human Rights Law Centre and Change the Record have slammed the Crisafulli Government for passing laws that will sentence even more children to adult-length terms of imprisonment. The laws will lock up children for even longer, and harm kids, families, and communities.
Read more
Statement: Australia’s support for Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation and blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza must end
The Australian Government is obligated under international law to do everything in its power to bring an end to Israel’s ongoing illegal occupation and blocking of humanitarian aid.
Read more
Rio Tinto to face scrutiny at AGM for response to Panguna mine disaster
As shareholders meet in Perth today for Rio Tinto’s AGM, communities living with the ongoing devastation from Rio Tinto’s former Panguna mine are calling for the company to urgently commit to funding long-term solutions.
Read more
Acknowledgement of Country
The Human Rights Law Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia, including the lands of the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Gadigal, Ngunnawal, Cammeraygal, Darug, Wadawurrung, Turrbal and Jagera people where we work from.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present. This land always was, and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
WARNING: This site contains images or names of people who have passed away.