Joint Statement on the use of Hotels as Alternative Places of Detention
Asylum Seekers and Refugees
As the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) for places of detention under control of the Commonwealth, the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman inspects immigration detention facilities, including Alternative Places of Detention (APODs), to identify and consider systemic issues or systems where there is a risk of torture or ill‑treatment. The NPM’s role is to monitor the treatment of people and the conditions of their detention and to make recommendations to government for improvement.
The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) works to protect and promote human rights in Australia and internationally, including the rights of people in immigration detention. The Commission’s work includes investigating complaints, conducting inquiries and reporting on issues concerning immigration detention and human rights.
Inspections undertaken in recent years by the Commonwealth NPM, and visits by the Commission, highlighted concerns with the long-term use of hotels or rooms within a hotel as an APOD, and the detrimental impact of this on people held in these facilities.
Download the full statement on the use of hotels as APODS by clicking on the links.
