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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

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

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

US Envoy Witkoff did not meet UN officials during West Asia visit

"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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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