Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

Anti-torture mission in Australia suspended after UN inspectors barred

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 Oct 2022 09:24
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The United Nations terminates the anti-torture mission in Australia; the country accused of breaching its international commitments.

  • x
  • Australia’s refusal to welcome the UN inspectors boiled down to a funding dispute between the federal and state governments. REUTERSPIX.
    Australia’s refusal to welcome the UN inspectors boiled down to a funding dispute between the federal and state governments. (Reuters)

The United Nations has unexpectedly terminated its anti-torture mission in Australia after inspectors were denied access by the Australian government to numerous prisons, with a major monitoring agency slamming the encounter as an "embarrassing debacle" on Monday.

The UN inspectors, who were tasked with examining facilities as part of a voluntary agreement to minimize inmate maltreatment, said they made the "dramatic" decision after being refused admission at "many" jails and detention centers.

Australia was in "clear breach" of its international commitments, according to lead inspector Aisha Mohammad, a Supreme Court judge in the Maldives. "Despite our numerous efforts to explain our preventative mandate, this was clearly not understood," she said.

Only three other countries have had anti-torture inspectors delay or postpone missions: Rwanda, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine.

Read next: Sexual abuse victims condemn Australia PM's 'shocking' response to claims

Australia adopted the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) in 2017, pledging measures that protect detainees and subject facilities to inspection.

Former prison inspector Steven Caruana coordinated the domestic body responsible for tracking Australia's implementation of the convention. "There can really be no excuse as to why the delegation was hindered," he told AFP on Monday. 

Related News

Gaza rescue teams paralyzed by fuel crisis, death toll mounts

UN warns of climate-driven health crisis for aging populations

"Australia has had almost five years to prepare for this visit. Australia will now have to answer for this embarrassing debacle in front of the United Nations Committee against Torture." 

Rights abuse allegations 

Australia's unwillingness to accept the inspectors was due to a financing dispute between the federal and state governments. The federal government ratified the convention, but individual states and territories were responsible for putting it into action.

UN inspectors were blocked by New South Wales last week from a small courthouse jail, the UN delegation said. 

Queensland refused to let inspectors visit inpatient units at mental health facilities, according to the Queensland Health department.

Read next: Offshore detention survivors decry UK's Rwanda scheme

The UN delegation said it had "been prevented from visiting several places where people are detained... and was not given all the relevant information and documentation it had requested."

Human rights abuses have been reported repeatedly in Australia's jails, adolescent detention centers, and immigration compounds, particularly against Aboriginal people.

Australia has until January 2023 to meet its obligations. 

There are no penalties for missing the deadline, but Australia could be placed on a non-compliance list of countries with significant human rights concerns.

  • United Nations
  • Australia

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS