Minister urges states to let UN inspect youth detention centres

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 6 Nov, 03:09 · Archive

Australia's Indigenous affairs minister has called on state and territory governments to allow UN human rights investigators into youth detention centres.

Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has called on state and territory governments to allow United Nations human rights investigators access to youth detention centres. The appeal follows the Northern Territory and Queensland governments blocking UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples Albert K Barume from visiting such facilities. Dr Barume was visiting Australia to examine human rights issues affecting Indigenous Australians. Speaking at a Closing the Gap council meeting, Senator McCarthy said: 'It is important, in my view, that the special rapporteur does get to visit those facilities, but also has the conversation.' She noted she had raised the matter with all Indigenous affairs ministers before the joint council meeting in Canberra.

The Northern Territory has twice barred UN investigators from inspecting prisons. Senator McCarthy said the government was 'seriously looking' at state and territory funding agreements to meet national Closing the Gap targets. A July Productivity Commission report found that just one of 19 targets had been achieved more than halfway through the 2031 agreement period, with only three areas targeting socio-economic disparity likely to be met on time. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss condemned Australia's lack of progress, saying governments had broken their promise to Indigenous communities.

How it is being reported

• Minister calls for UN to be let in detention centresThe Indigenous Australians minister has urged state and territory governments to welcome UN human rights investigators into youth detention centres.The West Australian · 6 Nov, 02:38
• Minister calls for UN to be let in detention centresThe Indigenous Australians minister has urged state and territory governments to welcome UN human rights investigators into youth detention centres.Perth Now · 6 Nov, 02:38

In this story: Malarndirri McCarthy · Albert K Barume · Katie Kiss · Northern Territory · Queensland · Australia

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