Minister Dutton’s attempt to avoid oversight in immigration detention must be rejected
New laws that would see mobile phones stripped from refugees and people seeking asylum in immigration detention and massively expand invasive search procedures are an unjustified overreach of power, the Human Rights Law Centre has told a Senate Committee.
The proposed laws in the Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2020 would give sweeping, unchecked powers to the Minister for Home Affairs to ban almost any item. Detention centre staff - who have limited training and are hired by private contractors - could then conduct invasive searches, including strip searches, for everyday items, like mobile phones and even pens and paper.
David Burke, Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre, said that Parliament must reject this unnecessary and harmful grab for increased powers.
“For people held in immigration detention, mobile phones are a vital lifeline to families, friends and their lawyers. Mobile phones have allowed people held in these centres to shine a light on their mistreatment. By increasing his powers to ban phones, Minister Dutton is yet again trying to hide the Government’s cruel treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum from the public.”
“Abuse thrives behind closed doors. We need more accountability, not less. Parliament must reject this attack on transparency.”
“Instead of trying to find new ways to isolate and silence refugees and people seeking asylum, the Minister should focus on fixing this cruel mess and start releasing people into safe accommodation in the community.”
Read our responses to the arguments raised by the Department of Home Affairs and Serco here.
Media contact:
Michelle Bennett, Communications Director, Human Rights Law Centre, 0419 100 519