At risk

From The Age

Now that media ‘tittle-tattle’ (to use Vanstone’s words) has brought to light the case of an Australian woman consigned to an uncertain fate in the Philippines by DIMIA, mainstream journalists are revisiting the human rights implications of mandatory detention.

Radio National’s Law Report this morning examined the legal implications of mandatory detention. ABC Radio and TV is covering the story in depth.

The whole sorry tale is coming to light. It would seem than many deportees have been put at serious risk. DIMIA has sent people into Syria, Iraq & Afghanistan, for instance, in circumstances where they were clearly in harm’s way.

Chris Sidoti (previously Human Rights Commissioner) told the program that successive governments have not observed the provisions of international asylum law. A commentator made the point that institutionalisation of detainees reduces their ability to manage the stress of deportation and its consequences. Not only are people deported in dangerous circumstances, they are further handicapped by the psychological and emotional damage wrought by long detention.

It is clear the authorities don’t care, the government does’nt care, so it is up to concerned people to let it be known that they care (writing to your MP is one option).

The Age reports today that the Interpol police chief says checks of hospitals and psychiatric clinics have so far failed to find any trace of the Australian woman missing in the Philippines.