By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
CANBERRA, Australia – An UN Special Rapporteur on health expressed concern over the health of asylum seekers detained at Australia’s Christmas Island facility and recommended that it be closed.
According to Anand Grover, Christmas Island should be shut down because its remote location prevents the detention center from receiving health services that are equal to the rest of the community.
Despite the fact that the health situation has improved, the UN official believes that mandatory detention with no maximum limits on duration of stay as well as the non-existence of binding legal standards for services tend to have a negative effect on the health of the asylum seekers.
Mr. Grover believes that mandatory detention should be abolished. By keeping the asylum seekers in mandatory detention, the government is wasting money because ultimately most of them will be granted visas.
Further, in regard to infectious diseases and detention of all asylum seekers, the Special Rapporteur stated that “you have to look at the individualized risk of a person” rather than detaining everyone.
He believes that Australia has continued to use Christmas Island because it’s a “historic thing”.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans responded by rejecting the UN’s recommendation to close the facility.
His office further stated that “Asylum seekers on Christmas Island receive legal advice and assistance, access to independent review of unfavourable decisions, and external scrutiny by the Immigration Ombudsman . . . The government’s key immigration detention values . . . were intended to maintain strong border security but also treat people with human dignity.”
The UN Special Rapporteur also expressed concern over the health of Australia’s indigenous population and that their right to health is being violated.
Australia has failed to incorporate international human rights standards into domestic law.
He stated that health conditions amongst aboriginal communities are in some respects worse than in third world countries. In particular, Mr. Grover noted the “extent of preventable disease, a lack of basic services and poor access to primary health care.”
Due to many years of neglect, racism, and discrimination, the Australian Aboriginals have been disempowered and lack access to basic services, such as safe drinking water, sanitation, and access to education.
For more information please see:
ABC News – UN envoy wants detention centre closed – 04 December 2009
ABC Radio Australia – UN rapporteur urges Australia to close detention facility – 04 December 2009
China view – Aboriginals on the margins of the Australian society: UN Rapporteur – 04 December 2009
Radio Australia News – UN health expert critical of Australian policies – 04 December 2009
