18 October 2005
Human Rights Commissioner visits Baxter Immigration Detention Facility
Human Rights Commissioner Dr Sev Ozdowski visited Baxter Immigration Detention Facility on Monday, 17 October 2005.
The purpose of his visit was to conduct a routine inspection of the immigration detention facility (IDF), which is part of his role as Human Rights Commissioner.
Dr Ozdowski began visiting all IDFs in February 2001 and has maintained a regular program throughout his five year term. In late 2002, the Attorney-General tabled in Federal parliament a 'Report on visits to Immigration Detention Facilities by the Human Rights Commissioner 2001'.
This was subsequently complemented by an intensive visitation cycle of IDFs throughout 2002, pursuant to the national inquiry into children in immigration detention, culminating in parliamentary tabling in May of 2004 of a report titled 'A last resort?'.
The Commission has had a continuing role in monitoring the conditions in detention centres from a human rights compliance perspective over many years. Detainees can also make complaints to the Commission under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act if they believe their human rights have been breached.
In keeping with past practice, Dr Ozdowski will not comment publicly on conditions in Baxter IDF, but will advise DIMIA in writing of any human rights' issues, should that be necessary.
Media contact: Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347
Last updated 18 October 2005.
