Age assessment in people smuggling cases
Inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offences who say that they are children
The President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Catherine Branson QC, will conduct an Inquiry into the treatment of individuals suspected of people smuggling offences who say that they are children.
The majority of these individuals are Indonesian nationals who have worked as crew on boats bringing asylum seekers to Australia, and who have subsequently been investigated for people smuggling offences. The Commission has serious concerns that errors in age assessment procedures may have resulted in some children spending long periods of time detained in adult correctional facilities. The Inquiry will consider all cases where age has been in dispute since September 2008.
Discussion paper
Download in PDF (395 KB)
Download in Word (310 KB)
Submissions
Public submissions to the Inquiry are now closed. Public submissions addressing the terms of reference were due on Friday 3 February 2012.
Hearings
Hearing for Commonwealth agencies
On 19-20 April 2012 the Commission held a public hearing in Canberra for the following Commonwealth agencies:
- Department of Immigration and Citizenship
- Australian Federal Police
- Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
- Attorney-General’s Department
Transcript of the hearing for Commonwealth agencies – 19 April 2012
Download Transcript in PDF (387 KB)
Download Transcript in Word (546 KB)
Transcript of the hearing for Commonwealth agencies – 20 April 2012
Download Transcript in PDF (824 KB)
Download Transcript in Word (513 KB)
Hearing for medical experts
On Friday 9 March 2012 the Commission held a public hearing for key medical experts who made submissions to the Inquiry.
Transcript of the hearing for key medical experts - 9 March 2012
Other enquiries about this project may be sent to the Commission at the following address: ageassessment@humanrights.gov.au
