Letter to the Editor - Children in detention

20/04/2004

We call on the federal Government to act on the recommendations of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission's (HREOC) report of its Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention.

HREOC found in the strongest possible terms that the Australian Government and by implication all Australians had subjected children held in detention to "cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment."

The findings of this report reflect not just on the federal Government, but on all of us. It happened while we watched. The report documents actions and effects on childrens lives that affront our Australian sense of decency, who we are and what we stand for as a people.

There is a better way. Keeping children in detention and exposing them to harm is not the only option. There are other more humane and fair ways of managing this situation. For example, the system developed by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the Salvation Army, the Uniting Church and others. Their approach provides a combination of services and supports which ensure security concerns are met as well as caring for children humanely and with respect. It will enable children to commence the long, difficult and painstaking process required to overcome the damage done.

We must take responsibility for this outcome. The cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment must stop now.

Signed

Dr. Diane Sisely, Chief Executive, Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria - Susan Booth, Commissioner, Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland - Yvonne Henderson, Commissioner, Equal Opportunity Commission of Western Australia - Linda Matthews, Commissioner, Equal Opportunity Commission South Australia - Tony Fitzgerald, Commissioner, Northern Territory Anti-Discrimination Commission