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ALHR welcomes release of refugees in immigration detention
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) has welcomed a move by the federal government that will see the release of medically evacuated refugees who remain in immigration detention.
Emma Musgrave
The backing from the legal body comes after the government confirmed its decision to release a number of refugees from immigration detention who were previously transferred from offshore processing to Australia for vital medical treatment.
“The indefinite, arbitrary detention of these individuals is a clear violation of Australia’s international human rights obligations, including under the Refugee Convention and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. It appears the Federal Government lacks an efficient and humane long-term plan for medically evacuated refugees resulting in men, women and children being subject to unnecessary mental and physical trauma.
“The Federal Government’s silence on the process, including why some ‘medevac’ refugees have been released, and others not, is particularly concerning. This apparently ad hoc release of individuals onto six month bridging visas, without any safety net whatsoever, creates a significant burden on the mental health of both released refugees and those who remain indefinitely detained without any clear reasoning.”
Ms Caldwell added: “ALHR calls on the Federal Government to urgently make the process it is using for the release of refugees transparent and coherent and to ensure that all adults and children released have access to adequate support systems so that they can live securely and safely in the community without reliance on charity.”
This latest news comes after the federal government was ordered to pay compensation to almost 1,300 people seeking asylum after leaking highly sensitive personal information.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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