Ending Human Rights Abuses Behind Bars

This joint submission is made by Change The Record, the Human Rights Law Centre and the NATSILS, to the Committee Against Torture (the Committee) in respect of Australia’s compliance with the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Convention). The submission responds to Australia’s state party report dated 16 January 2019 that is due to be considered by the Committee during the upcoming 75th Session, and builds on the Human Rights Law Centre’s submission to the Committee on the issues to be included in the List of Issues prior to Reporting. 

The upcoming review of Australia’s state party report by the Committee provides a long overdue opportunity for the recently elected federal Albanese government to show leadership where successive, previous federal governments have failed to take initiative to end human rights abuses in places of detention. Mistreatment that can amount to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment is too common in prisons and police cells across the country. 

Read the Submission on Ending Human Rights Abuses Behind Bars