A law to deprive immigration detainees of their only contact: Australia shamed before the world
The following opinion piece was written by Graham Thom, Refugee Coordinator at Amnesty International Australia. It was published on 31 August 2020 by The Sydney Morning Herald.
A few months from now, Australia’s human rights track record will be assessed by the rest of the world. The Universal Periodic Review takes place on a five-year cycle and is an opportunity for members of the UN to assess a country’s achievements in protecting its citizens and others under its care. This year it is Australia’s turn.
As a liberal democracy, Australia will fare well compared with more autocratic, intolerant regimes. Protesters, journalists, political opponents don’t disappear here, the police aren't shooting at unarmed people in the street, our democratic process – give or take the odd raid on the media – is intact.
But there are areas where Australia has been found wanting and one of those areas is our ongoing appalling treatment of people who are currently held in immigration detention. [Read more here.]
