Go Asia Pacific Breaking News Asia - Australian Opposition renews appeal for children's freedom

		Asia home page \| Asia Breaking News

Visit our special sections for latest developments and analysis:

Australian Opposition renews appeal for children's freedom

Australia's opposition Labor Party has again urged the Government to immediately remove children from detention centres following a report on the remote Woomera detention centre.

Jo Prichard reports, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission says Australia is in breach of its international obligations on the rights of the child.

HREOC's report follows a five day assessment of conditions at Woomera. It is concerned by data provided by centre management show incidents of self harm by 24 child detainees over a two week period. The Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock says the report fails to acknowledge efforts already made by the South Australian Government to protect children at risk. 'This a report about advocacy and an attempt by HREOC to support a view which is critical of mandatory detention'. The Commonwealth has a trial in place to move women and children into the community, and will make an evaluation shortly. But the Federal Opposition wants immediate action. A spokesman for leader Simon Crean says the report proves the worth of Labor's revised policy to remove minors from detention centres.

07/02/2002 11:53:54 | ABC Radio Australia News

More Asia Breaking News

22/02/2002 13:23:11
Formal ceasefire expected in Sri Lanka
22/02/2002 13:23:00
ASEAN foreign ministers agree to a new era of co-operation
22/02/2002 13:23:09
Seven senior officials indicted in Indonesia
22/02/2002 13:23:15
Asia's least developed nations mull WTO accession in Bangkok
22/02/2002 10:37:34
US pays tribute to Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan
22/02/2002 06:03:10
Norway clinches ceasefire deal in Sri Lanka

Back