Asylum seeker rights
Media and commentary related to our work on asylum seeker rights and ensuring access to health care in Australian immigration detention.
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Australians need to better understand the reality of detainees’ lives
In my career as a lawyer and advocate, I have supported detainees whose social justice cases — some of the worst in the country — outline extremely distressing and difficult journeys. One resonant example is Yasir*, who sought protection in Australia in 2013 and has been in detention for 10 years. Like so many, Yasir…
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2SER: Uncovering misuse of handcuffs in immigration detention
The Commonwealth and its security contractor Serco have settled a case with PIAC client Yasir (named changed to protect client identity) after a three year legal battle in the Federal Court of Australia. PIAC has previously discussed the case on 2SER. Yasir is happy with the settlement of his case, but PIAC believes there may be…
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Unprincipled migration amendments introduce ‘indefinite surveillance’ and unjust sentences
New migration amendments introduce restrictive requirements on people who have been unlawfully detained.
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Asylum seeker settles handcuff case against Serco, govt
An asylum seeker who was forced to wear handcuffs to medical appointments while being held in Australian immigration detention has settled a claim against the federal government and security firm Serco. The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) which represented the asylum seeker in his three-year legal battle in Federal Court, said the matter was recently…
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Commonwealth settles case with asylum seeker who missed medical appointments because of handcuff PTSD
We secured a settlement for our client Yasir* who alleges he was forced to wear handcuffs to access healthcare.
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PIAC seeks information for potential handcuffing class action
We’re seeking information from people who have been handcuffed while being held in Australian onshore immigration detention.
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Asylum seeker settles handcuffing case against the Commonwealth
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has represented Yasir* in a protracted, 3-year battle against the Commonwealth and its security contractor, Serco, over his treatment in Australian immigration detention.The matter was recently settled on confidential terms. ‘I feel happy and sad now. Sad about the bad things that happened to me and how that made my health worse and still impacts my life but happy because I can…
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Survey: Handcuff use in Australian onshore immigration detention CLOSED
This survey has now closed. If you have additional information or have been affected by this issue, please contact us here. If you participated in the survey, we will be in contact.
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Concern after Australia misses critical deadline to protect human rights
Leading civil society organisations working with people who have been detained in Australia’s immigration detention system have raised concerns over Australia’s failure to meet the deadline for implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). The groups, which include the Public Interest Advocacy Centre…
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UN urges Australia to improve treatment of people in detention
A report from the UN Committee Against Torture urges government action to improve Australia’s treatment of people in police custody, prisons, youth detention centres and immigration detention. The report follows a UN subcommittee visit to review places of detention in Australia, which was dramatically suspended in October when authorities in NSW and Queensland refused to…