Dr John-Paul Sanggaran
Dr Sanggaran is a former Australian immigration detention doctor who risked prosecution under section 42 of the Border Force Act to bring to light human rights abuses within Australian immigration
About this finalist
- Year: 2016
- Level: Finalist
- Award category: Human rights medal
About the 2016 nomination
Dr Sanggaran is a former Australian immigration detention doctor who risked prosecution under section 42 of the Border Force Act to bring to light human rights abuses within Australian immigration detention. He is the co-author of Christmas Island Doctors of Concern, a 92-page letter signed by 15 doctors who practiced inside immigration detention on Christmas Island. The letter is a comprehensive account of the failings of medical procedure inside detention centres in Australia.
Dr Sanggaran has also campaigned extensively for ratification of OPCAT (the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture). He has worked within the medical and health sectors to forge a broad consensus for ratification of the protocol, and organised a petition nearing 10,000 signatures in support of this objective.
About the Human Rights Awards
The Australian Human Rights Awards is an inspirational showcase of the best in all of us. The Awards honour and celebrate diverse human rights heroes and significant achievements in protecting and promoting human rights in Australia.