Australian of the Year speaks on refugees and mental health

• Published on 18/01/2012
• Refugee Group

Afghan refugees Zohal Dad (left) and Maryam Dad. ©AI/Hamish Gregory

Amnesty International Tasmania celebrated an exciting first on 10 December 2011 when they launched the inaugural Human Rights Day lecture at University of Tasmania's Sandy Bay campus, featuring 2010 Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry.

Professor Patrick McGorry, a leading expert on mental health, spoke to a near-capacity Centenary Theatre crowd as part of Human Rights Week celebrations in Hobart.

Professor McGorry reiterated his message about the negative impact of detention on asylum seekers, people who are already traumatised from the reasons for leaving their home-country (such as war, torture and abuse) and the dangerous nature of their arrival. Professor McGorry called for an end to mandatory detention and more humane treatment for those who seek asylum in Australia.

The local ABC interviewed Professor McGorry after the lecture. He also gained good media coverage the following day on ABC radio national.

The Human Rights Day lecture was co-sponsored by Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR). Thanks goes to the organising committee - Branch President Belinda Kendall-White, Convenor of the UTas Amnesty group Ro Ebsworth, and Amy Williams from the ALHR.

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