title: Is Australia engaged in torturing asylum seekers? A cautionary tale for Europe.
abstract: Australian immigration detention has been identified as perpetuating ongoing human rights violations. Concern has been heightened by the assessment of clinicians involved and by the United Nations that this treatment may in fact constitute torture. We discuss the allegations of torture within immigration detention, and the reasons why healthcare providers have an ethical duty to report them. Finally, we will discuss the protective power of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as a means of providing transparency and ethical guidance.
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: John-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sanggaran
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cultural Diversity and Well Being, Victoria University, Footscray, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zion
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006806:Human Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D045809:Human Rights Abuses / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019221:Mandatory Reporting / Q000941:ethics*; D028681:Moral Obligations; D024382:Professional Role; D012036:Refugees; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014104:Torture / Q000941:ethics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Prisoners; Right to Healthcare; Torture and Genocide