media release DEATHS IN CUSTODY WATCH COMMITTEE (WA) Inc. 207 BEAUFORT ST PERTH WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6000 PO Box 8196 Perth WA 6849 Tel: 61(0)8 9227-5751 Mobile: 041993-0375 Fax: 61(0)8 9227-5593 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] URL: http://www.deathsincustody.com/ UNITED NATIONS REPORT WELCOMED BY WATCH COMMITTEE 22/11/2000 The Deaths in Custody Watch Committee today welcomed the recommendations made by the United Nations Committee Against Torture and renewed its call for the WA State Government to establish a full Judicial inquiry into the WA Prison system headed by a senior judge. The UN Committee against Torture identified four major concerns: * The lack of appropriate review mechanisms for ministerial decisions in respect to cases of torture or other cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment. * Use of instruments of physical restraint that cause unnecessary pain and humiliation by prison authorities * Allegations of excessive use of force or degrading treatment by police or prison guards * Mandatory sentencing which has discriminatory effects regarding Indigenous Australians (including women and young people), who are over- represented in the criminal justice system. "The Watch Committee has given the Ministry of Justice countless opportunities to address violations of the Convention outlined in our report to the UN. Mr Foss's response to our report to the UN Committee Against Torture is symptomatic of the Ministry of Justice resistance to genuine prison reform, unwillingness to investigate allegations of systemic abuses and complete disregard for the Convention against Torture to which Australia is a signatory." Mr Foss public comments are also a direct attack on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, Ombudsman's Report, the Smith Inquiry Report and the Nevill Parliamentary Standing Committee Report all of which strongly criticise systemic problems in the WA Prison Service. "It is no wonder that Prison Officers on the ground do not get the message that all detained persons have an inalienable right to be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the person," said Mallot. Mallott went on to say, "It should be of major concern to Mr Foss that prisoners who provided evidence to the UN committee were not willing to have their names released to the Australian government representatives for fear of brutal victimisation and retribution by prison authorities. Instead, in the manner we have been accustomed to, he has arrogantly dismissed the Watch Committee's complaints. This type of response is irresponsible and unacceptable." "The Federal Attorney General Daryl Williams silence on the UN findings is an indictment on Australia's commitment to the Convention and reflects badly on our nation as a whole. Mr Foss's tongue-in-cheek public remark that he would work with the federal government if required to by the UN completely misses the point. As the Attorney General he is directly responsible for what happens inside our prisons and he needs to take responsibility. It is now however, blatantly clear that the UN unequivocally requires the federal government to take action on the violations of the Convention in WA prisons," said Mallott. Until the government takes immediate steps to implement the nine recommendations handed down by the UN Committee Against Torture, the Watch Committee will continue a concerted and sustained campaign to bring Australia in line with our obligations under the Convention. Media contact: Kath Mallott, 0419930375 (mob), 92275751 (work) - [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- Jim Duffield --- http://www.kultcher.com/ - What the Caterpiller calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly. - Richard Bach, Illusions http://www.louis.asn.au http://www.deathsincustody.com/ ------------------------------------------------------ RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/
