The United Nations abruptly suspended its anti-torture mission in Australia after inspectors were barred from several prisons, with a key regulator condemning the “embarrassing debacle” on Monday.
The inspectors, who have been tasked with visiting facilities under a voluntary agreement to prevent atrocities against detainees, said they made the “drastic” decision after being denied entry to “several” prisons and detention centers.
Chief Inspector Aisha Muhammad, a Maldives Supreme Court Justice, said Australia was “clearly” in breach of its international obligations.
“Despite our numerous efforts to explain our prevention mandate, this was clearly not understood,” she said.
Only in three other countries – Rwanda, Azerbaijan and Ukraine – have anti-torture inspectors suspended or postponed missions.
Australia ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) in 2017 and committed to reforms to protect detainees and inspect facilities.
Former Prisons Inspector Steven Caruana coordinated the national agency responsible for monitoring Australia’s implementation of the Convention.
“There really can be no excuse as to why the delegation was obstructed,” he told AFP on Monday.
“Australia has had almost five years to prepare for this visit. Australia will now have to answer this embarrassing debacle before the UN Committee against Torture.”
– allegations of legal violations –
Australia’s refusal to host the inspectors resulted in a federal-state funding dispute.
The federal government ratified the convention, but individual states and territories were responsible for implementation.
New South Wales and Queensland – eastern states with about half Australia’s population – have blocked the process, saying they need more funding to put the convention into practice.
New South Wales blocked UN inspectors from a small courthouse last week, the UN delegation said.
Queensland has refused to allow inspectors to visit inpatient units in psychiatric facilities, according to the Queensland Health Board.
The UN delegation said it was “prevented from visiting several places where people are being held… and did not receive all the relevant information and documentation requested”.
Australia’s prisons, juvenile detention centers and immigration camps are plagued by persistent allegations of human rights abuses, particularly against Aboriginal communities.
Criminology professor Lorana Bartels said there was a clear need for more scrutiny.
“There are clearly issues with the management of correctional facilities in Australia,” she told AFP.
“This shows a real lack of understanding and respect for these processes.”
Australia has until January 2023 to meet its commitments.
There are no penalties for missing the deadline, but Australia could be put on a non-compliance list of countries with significant human rights concerns.
