NPM Joint statement - SPT terminates visit to Australia

In October 2022 the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) made its first visit to Australia. Regrettably the SPT were denied access to come places of detention during the visit, which resulted in the SPT suspending its visit.

The plenary of the SPT met from 6 to 10 February 2023. The SPT decided to terminate its visit to Australia. This was because Australia was unable to provide the assurances required to enable the SPT to resume its visit within a reasonable timeframe; notably, assurances that the SPT would be able to carry out its visits to Australian detention facilities without restriction. This is a disappointing outcome. Australia now joins Rwanda as the only other country where the SPT has decided to terminate a visit.

Australian governments, detaining authorities, civil society organisations and other oversight bodies have lost a valuable opportunity to work cooperatively with the SPT to progress our shared goal of protecting the human rights of people in detention. The SPT has indicated that the Australian Government will be provided a report as soon as possible outlining its observations from the October 2022 Australian visit. Australia’s NPM welcomes the SPT’s feedback and guidance. Australia’s NPM had constructive and practical engagement with the SPT during its October visit. We look forward to further engagement with the SPT over the coming months and years.

Members of the Australian NPM have released a joint statement regarding the visit termination, available here.