NZ Human Rights Commission

Kiwis with concerns about immigration detention centres should contact Australian HRC - NZ Human Rights Commission

New Zealand’s Human Rights Commission has urged Kiwis with concerns about loved ones in Australian immigration detention centres to contact the Australian Human Rights Commission.

“The detention centres are run by the Australian government so the Australian Human Rights Commission has the mandate to investigate complaints,” said New Zealand's Chief Human Rights Commissioner David Rutherford.

“We support our Australian colleagues’ longstanding calls to shut down the Australian Government’s detention centres.”

From last November the Australian Government cancelled the visas of all non-citizen prisoners jailed for at least a year. There are 184 New Zealanders in immigration detention centres.Mr Rutherford said wherever detention occurs, nations should do so in accordance with relevant international laws and obligations. Prime Minister John Key has highlighted his concerns about the basic rights of Kiwis held in detention centres and confirmed he would be taking this issue up with Australia’s new Prime Minister.

“We support this position and encourage our Government to continue to advocate on behalf of New Zealanders held in Australian immigration detention centres,” said Mr Rutherford.

Find out more about how the Australian Human Rights Commission works to promote and protect the human rights of people in immigration detention:

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