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To: The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, The Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Attorney General, The Shadow Attorney General Mark Dreyfus, The Hon. Melissa Parke MP

Stop Human Rights Abuses in Detention- Ratify OPCAT

Stop Human Rights Abuses in Detention- Ratify OPCAT

This petition calls for the Ratification of the OPCAT by the Australian Government

Countries simply agreeing not to torture and to respect human rights doesn't work, especially for people that are in detention.

The OPCAT is a UN treaty that Australia has signed up to that would ensure national and international monitoring of people in these vulnerable situations.

The transparency this creates acts as a deterrent to violating human rights in the first place.

It is much harder to torture and abuse people when you are being watched.

The OPCAT has bipartisan support, but has not been put into effect. Australia has sat on it since 2009.

Help us help Australia act ethically and responsibly by putting in place measures to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Australia's peak health bodies call for ratification!
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/oct/16/medical-bodies-call-for-all-places-of-detention-to-be-opened-up-to-scrutiny

64 organisations that have already called for ratification.
http://castancentre.com/2014/09/16/open-letter-to-the-attorney-general-regarding-the-optional-protocol-to-the-convention-against-torture/

This article in the Medical Journal of Australia argues for its ratification
https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2015/202/11/call-australias-ratification-optional-protocol-convention-against-torture

The OPCAT can help prevent situations like this where we need to risk prosecution to act ethically
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jul/01/open-letter-on-the-border-force-act-we-challenge-the-department-to-prosecute

For more information see the AHRC
https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/asylum-seekers-and-refugees/projects/optional-protocol-convention-against-torture-opcat

Why is this important?

To ensure oversight and monitoring of places of detention, with an emphasis on deterrence of human rights abuses through transparency. This is especially significant within Immigration Detention. The Australian Human Rights Commission has called for a Royal Commission. The UN special rapporteur has found Australia in breach of the Convention Against Torture.

It would also provide a framework to ensure that there are protections and monitoring within other areas of concern such as police lock ups, disability care, aged care homes and involuntary psychiatric admissions.


Reasons for signing

  • Our human rights are not negotiable, they are essential to life like water.
  • I signed because I feel so strongly about human rights abuses perpetrated by our government. I believe the only way to stop such abuses is through transparency and independent evaluation.
  • If we Australians sit on our hands and say and do nothing while our government allows refugees to be tortured, then we are as guilty as the government is. OPCAT needs to be ratified by the Australian government

Updates

2015-12-30 09:03:06 +1100

We noticed that "Micheal T" states he is a '501' in detention and has signed.

You are not forgotten.

https://www.communityrun.org/petitions/ratification-of-the-optional-protocol-to-the-convention-against-torture/comments/684824

2015-12-24 11:10:26 +1100

Thank you to all the new supporters. 8000 is easily in sight.

2015-07-21 08:42:56 +1000

I have no idea why the petition has taken off again today. I'm happy it has, someone let me know why. It is certainly nothing we did, it will be a little while until there is more promotion for numbers from us.

2015-07-08 06:05:16 +1000

5,000 signatures reached

2015-07-06 15:13:38 +1000

Edging towards 5000. This is making a real statement now. Keep sharing and educating people on the OPCAT. You have all done a brilliant job.

2015-07-02 22:23:52 +1000

3000!!!! I love hearing the reasons people are signing this petition. Keep them coming. Keep explaining. Keep spreading. Very well done.

2015-07-01 18:15:43 +1000

1,000 signatures reached

2015-07-01 15:40:12 +1000

Keep this rolling people. The attention this is getting can become a positive change for those in detention. You are ensuring that their human rights are respected.

Well done to you all.

Dr Sanggaran

2015-07-01 13:22:31 +1000

500 signatures reached

2015-06-23 08:47:51 +1000

Growing again :) well done, please share, promote and explain this to your friends and colleagues.

2015-05-11 17:49:05 +1000

100 already!! Very impressed!

2015-05-11 17:20:47 +1000

100 signatures reached

2015-05-09 03:45:23 +1000

You can follow updates from us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ratifyOPCAT or Twitter https://twitter.com/RatifyOPCAT

2015-05-05 13:55:36 +1000

50 in under a day!

2015-05-05 13:54:23 +1000

50 signatures reached

2015-05-04 20:30:56 +1000

25 signatures reached

2015-05-04 16:58:43 +1000

10 signatures reached

2015-05-04 16:36:17 +1000

You guys are awesome, keep spreading it.