AMA submission to Senate L&CAR Committee Inquiry into Serious allegations of abuse, self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers in relation to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre, and any like allegations in relation to the Manus Regional Processing Centre

The AMA has provided a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee Inquiry into serious allegations of abuse, self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers in relation to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre, and any like allegations in relation to the Manus Regional Processing Centre.  The submission provided is in addition to the submission provided in February 2016 to the Committee's lapsed inquiry into Conditions and Treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees at the Regional Processing Centres in the Republic of Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

The AMA has consistently raised concerns about the physical and mental health of asylum seekers, particularly the health of children.  The prolonged, indeterminate detention of asylum seekers in immigration detention centres violates basic human rights and is damaging to the health of detainees.  The AMA reiterated its position that detention should only be a last resort, and for the shortest possible time.  All people seeking health care, including asylum seekers and refugees, should be able to access appropriate services and be treated with compassion, respect and dignity. 

For privacy reasons, the attached submission has the names of asylum seekers redacted.  An unrestricted version of the submission has been provided to the Committee.