Immigration detention in Australia

The High Court’s ruling in NZYQ should be an opportunity to create a system that strikes a balance between respect for human rights and the rule of law and the rightful protection of the community, argues Mary Crock.

In a case brought by Iranian Kurdish refugee Mostafa Azimitabar (“Moz”), Federal Court judge Bernard Murphy ruled that while hotel detention is inhumane, it is still legal. Chris Slee reports.

 

Abbi spoke from inside the Park Hotel prison to refugee rights activists outside asking what he and other asylum seekers had done to receive such cruelty from the Morrison government. Here is what he said.

Refugee activists shut down the offices of the Department of Home Affairs in Meanjin (Brisbane) on November 11. Isaac Nellist reports.

Refugee Amir Mirzaei was brought to Australia from Manus Island under the now-defunct Medevac law and he is still being detained. He asked Green Left to share his letter to the United Nations secretary-general.

Alan Tudge says "foreign actors" are "straining" the country's social cohesion. Alex Bainbridge argues that if he was seriously worried, he could start by looking in the mirror.

With protesting suspended, the refugee movement is exploring new ways to express solidarity with those left in precarious situations in their continuing detention hell, writes Zebedee Parkes.

Chris Slee reports that refugees from Manus Island and Nauru, who are in Australia to receive medical treatment, are being detained in a hotel.

In 2011, in the days leading up to January 26, with Australian flags fluttering off cars and used as capes, accompanied by cartons of beer, sporting excellence as the pinnacle of Australian achievement and politicians lecturing the country on what it means to be a “proud Australian”, I left Perth.

Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre

The immigration department has confirmed it wrongly sent two Australian citizens to immigration detention after cancelling their visas.

In a backdown by the federal government on one of the most contentious elements of the Australian Border Force Act, health professionals have been removed from the definition of “immigration and border protection workers”. This leaves them free to speak out about conditions and medical treatment in Australia’s immigration detention system.

It is amazing how radical believing in the simple notion of welcoming refugees in Australia has become. ABC’s Q&A program on alternatives to detention on October 10 gave some insight into how convoluted the debate on refugees has become.

A number of “compromise solutions” are being put forward but none of them address the worldwide refugee crisis or end Australia’s cruel detention system.