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