Australia risks UN human rights blacklisting as states fail to meet prison obligations

Australia risks being placed on a human rights blacklist alongside such countries as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo by failing to meet its obligations in prison oversight under a UN anti-torture treaty.

The failure to meet the obligations by Friday means a UN subcommittee could place Australia on a non-compliance list, alongside 14 other countries.

Human rights advocates have pointed to the abuse in youth detention centres, the over representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system and deaths in custody, and the use of practices such as solitary confinement in prisons as examples of why scrutiny is vital.

Spokespeople for the three state governments said discussions with the commonwealth were ongoing.

Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have implemented interim or final measures to allow bodies to monitor conditions in places of detention.

In October the UN subcommittee on the prevention of torture abandoned its trip to Australia after the NSW government blocked officials from inspecting its prisons. Queensland also refused access to mental health facilities but has since passed legislation that will allow UN officials to conduct visits.

The delegation had planned to conduct surprise visits to state, territory and commonwealth prisons facilities during its tour.

Under the treaty states and territories must allow the committee to visit places of detention. The subcommittee will meet next month to discuss resuming the visit.

The treaty was signed by Australia after the royal commission into juvenile detention in the NT, sparked by revelations of abuses at the Don Dale youth detention centre.