Children should be out of immigration detention says Australian Medical Association

Main Category: Mental Health
Article Date: 11 Jun 2004 - 2:00 PDT


Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today that all children should be released from immigration detention in Australian facilities in keeping with the deadline set by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) when it released its National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention report in May.

The HREOC report recommended that 'children in immigration detention centres and residential housing projects, as at the date of the tabling of this report, should be released with their parents as soon as possible, but no later than four weeks after tabling'.

Dr Glasson said the AMA concurs with that deadline.

"The sooner all those children are out of detention the better it will be for their physical and mental health," Dr Glasson said.

"We know some children have been released. Now is the time for all the others to be released.

"We understand there could be as many as 150 children in forms of detention that HREOC considers unacceptable.

"The HREOC report validated the findings of many mental health professionals that prolonged immigration detention has serious effects on mental health, particularly the mental health of children.

"Many children have even harmed themselves physically in despair at their plight and the plight of their families.

"The AMA urges the Government to meet the HREOC deadline and look at better ways to look after the health of all asylum seeker detainees, children and adults," Dr Glasson said.

CONTACT:
John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306

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