For the children’s sake,immigration detention needs rethinking

Following the tragic events in the Woomera detention centre over the weekend, Catholic Welfare Australia is urging the Federal Government to give serious consideration to releasing women and children from detention whilst the backlog of claims are processed and the mandatory detention of asylum seekers is reviewed.

 “According to our sources, the mood in Woomera Detention Centre is tense and oppressive –  what on earth are we doing housing children in this environment?” said the National Director of Catholic Welfare Australia, Mr Toby O’Connor.

This current situation amplifies the concerns of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission which last November announced a major inquiry into children in immigration detention to be held this year.  HREOC has announced it will be looking into the conditions under which children are detained, their health and education in detention and the impact of detention on their well-being.

“While these people are in the care of the Australian Government, and its people, we cannot allow this situation to continue,” said Mr O’Connor.

Mr O’Connor stated that the treatment of asylum seekers must be made more humane as a matter of urgency and the conditions detainees endure made less harsh.  Crucial to this is the expeditious processing of applications.

“Despite the possibly changed political circumstances in Afghanistan, Government must not hold asylum seekers in limbo and particularly in such oppressive conditions.  Applications must be processed expeditiously and detainees kept fully informed of the status of their applications for protection visas.”

For an interview please call:  Jackie Brady, Communications Officer, 0417 220 779