Latest statistics - 183 children in need of compassion

10 November 2003

At least 183 children remain detained under Australian immigration policy as of 6 November 2003, A Just Australia reported today with the publication of its latest monthly statistics.

These figures, compiled from official sources, include children in detention centres and 'alternate detention arrangements' on the Australian mainland, Christmas Island and Nauru.

Not included in the official figures of children in detention are those among the 99 total detainees in 'other facilities' including prisons, hospitals, or under guard in hotels - such as Mrs Bakhtiyari and her 26-day-old son, Mazhar.

A number of these children have been detained for more than three years. Many have lived much of their lives either fleeing persecution or detained under Australian policy. Few of them are likely to be released soon unless the Minister for Immigration acts on compassionate grounds.

"How much longer will these children have to wait for the chance to be children?" asked A Just Australia National Director Howard Glenn.

Mr Glenn added that, while the release of families was preferable, the ongoing detention of their parents should not prevent the release of the children.

"There are thousands of Australian children with one or more parents in jail - we don't send these kids in with their parents," said Mr Glenn.

"The government has run out of reasons to lock these kids up - it's unpopular, serves no good purpose and is just plain wrong.

There are 90 children detained within Australian territory and 93 in Nauru.

"Australia is detaining more children in Nauru than within its own borders."