Children in Detention in Australia & on Nauru

Govt Response to the Royal Commission Must Include Kids in Detention in Australia and on Nauru

By Jane Salmon

Human Rights Lawyers have demanded that the Federal Government take immediate action to relieve the suffering of children in Australia’s immigration system, both locally and in Nauru.

The National Justice Project, a pro bono human rights law firm, today called on Peter Dutton, the Immigration Minister to protect the children under his careby immediately implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse.

The Minister has the power to protect little children in his care and custody and he MUST do so.

The Australian Government has not implemented the child safe standards in the detention system nor does it require its guards in Australia and Nauru to comply with the national child safe standards.

The Department knows that victims of sexual abuse and assault in the immigration system need support but the Government do not provide appropriate therapeutic and other specialist and support services to the victims.

George Newhouse, the Principal Solicitor of the National Justice Project said today that “The Royal Commission has spoken. Does Peter Dutton have the decency to protect children in detention here and in Nauru and follow the Royal Commission’s lead?”

“It is scandalous that the Minister for Immigration continues to expose men women children to abuse and ongoing sexual assault, abuse and mental harm. That children are denied therapeutic care and that there is no independent monitoring or oversight of immigration detainees is a national disgrace.”

“This government remains responsible for the harm that is being done to children in detention in Australia and offshore in Nauru and the National Justice Project is working hard to get them appropriate care and to hold the government accountable for these atrocities.”

ENDS

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