Australia's immigration detention centre 'illegal' say Amnesty International

December 16 2009 by Liam Clifford

Graham Thom slams the detention facility on Christmas Island as against human rights laws

Australia's immigration detention facility, aptly situated on Christmas Island, is in breach of human rights laws and must close, according to Amnesty International.

Graham Thom, who is the Amnesty refugee co-ordinator, recently spent a week inspecting the Australian immigration centre, located on Australia's remote Indian Ocean Territory. He described the facilities and environment there as unacceptable.

In describing the conditions on Christmas Island Thom said; "It is not sustainable. You can clearly see the impact it is having on the mental health of those who have been there a long time."

The comments will further ignite a controversial subject in Australia, as pressure on the government to control illegal immigration into Australia continues, however in light of Amnesty International’s damning verdict it remains unseen how the centre will now be viewed globally.

At the moment Australia accounts for only a small number of the refugees internationally, in what the United Nations estimates to be a figure of 15million, but the subject is a conscientious divider in the population of Australia and has the potential to decide the next Prime Ministerial election

Following the comments by Amnesty International, Australian immigration Minister Chris Evans said the criticism was ‘unfounded’ and re-stated the importance of Australia's policy in detaining asylum seekers who try to arrive in Australia waters by boat.

In a statement released by the Australian immigration minister, Evans said; "Irregular maritime arrivals are receiving fair and humane treatment and Australia is not in breach of its international obligations."

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