Australian Immigration Detention Facilities - Controversy

Controversy

The facilities have been a source of much controversy during their time of operation. There have been a number of riots and escapes, as well as accusations of human rights abuses from organisations such as refugee advocates, Amnesty International, the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations.

In March 2002, the Secretary General of Amnesty International, Irene Khan, said:

It is obvious that the prolonged periods of detention, characterised by frustration and insecurity, are doing further damage to individuals who have fled grave human rights abuses. The detention policy has failed as a deterrent and succeeded only as punishment.
How much longer will children and their families be punished for seeking safety from persecution? —Irene Khan, Irene Khan

Former Prime Minister John Howard and successive immigration ministers maintained that their actions were justified in the interests of protecting Australia's borders and ensuring that immigration law was enforced. A 2004 Liberal Party election policy document stated:

Only Australian citizens and permanent residents should have the unrestricted right to travel to, and remain in, Australia. All other people must have an authority, issued by the Australian Government, to travel to, enter or stay in Australia.


The Coalition's border protection policy has two objectives: to deter people from arriving in Australia unlawfully, and to deal efficiently and humanely with people who arrive unlawfully, by either speedily returning them to their homeland, or by offering Australia's protection if they are genuine refugees. —Liberal Party of Australia, Liberal Party 2004 election policy

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