A coalition of Australian civil society and legal organisations have written to the Australian Government to express concern that Australia has failed to meet the deadline for implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), which was extended to 20 January 2023.
Australia’s three most populous states: NSW, VIC and QLD have failed to establish National Preventative Mechanisms, citing costs. This is after the Committee’s visit to Australia last year needed to be suspended due to a lack of access to detention facilities in NSW and QLD.
Amnesty fully supports the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Roadmap to OPCAT Compliance.
