Amnesty International Australia welcomes the changes to immigration detention recommended in the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s report, tabled on 25 May 2009.

The report is the second in a series of three reports conducted by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration into immigration detention. The first report, Criteria for release from detention,was tabled on 1 December 2008 and contained a number of recommendations aimed at ensuring release from detention followed health, security and identity checks.

The current report entitled Community-based alternatives to detention focuses on the conditions and material support for release into the community.

It contains twelve recommendations, including a recommendation that the Australian Government use a reformed bridging visa framework in lieu of community detention until a person’s immigration status is resolved. The Committee recommends the Australian Government reform the bridging visa framework to ensure that people are provided with basic income assistance, access to necessary health care and assistance with accommodation.

Amnesty International Australia urges the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, to respond to the recommendations set out in the Committee’s report.

Amnesty International Australia is concerned by the minority report put forward by the Hon. Dr Sharman Stone MP. In particular, Amnesty International Australia opposes any policy that would see individuals indefinitely and arbitrarily detained or alternatively left destitute in the community.

Access to paid employment is fundamental to human dignity, aids integration into the community, promotes health and contributes to adequate living standards.

Australia’s approach to the treatment of those seeking asylum here should be informed by its respect for an individual’s inherent dignity and fundamental human rights - not driven by attempts to second guess what is in the minds of “people smugglers.”

The final report of the inquiry into immigration detention Transparency, infrastructure and service provision is due to be tabled later in 2009.