“The fact that kids as young as 10—and let’s face it, the majority of these are Indigenous kids—are still being sent to jail is not only in opposition to the UN’s own recommendations, but it is just morally wrong,” said Amnesty International Australia’s Indigenous Rights Lead, Nolan Hunter, per The Guardian.
The countries at the UN session also criticised Australia's border policies. Delegates specifically noted Australia’s offshore processing and refusal to settle people who arrived by boat—quite rich when you consider Scott Morrison’s recent tone-deaf sympathy for the colonists on the first fleet.
“The UN review made it clear that the Australian government hasn’t followed through on some of its key past pledges to the UN Human Rights Council," Elaine Pearson, the Australia director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
“It’s disappointing to see the Australian government doubling down on policies that have caused immense harm to asylum seekers and have been repeatedly condemned by UN officials and other governments,” Pearson continued.
“While Australia has abandoned its responsibilities towards these people, it’s good to see the rest of the world has not.”
Lead image via Ian Waldie/Getty Images.
