PIAC calls on UN Committee to investigate handcuffing in Australian immigration detention

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) says a comprehensive review of handcuffing in Australia’s onshore immigration detention system is urgently needed.

Asylum seekers are being handcuffed to go to medical appointments or to be transferred between facilities, without individualised and appropriate assessment of risk.

PIAC’s work with people in immigration detention shows the overuse of handcuffs is preventing people in onshore immigration detention from getting medical treatment.

These concerns have been highlighted in a submission to the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture ahead of a visit to Australia by committee members this month.

Jonathan Hall Spence, PIAC Senior Solicitor joins 2SER Breakfast to discuss.