U.N. Says Obligations Breached After Inspectors Denied Access To Detention Centers

The United Nations says Australia has violated its obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture after two states refused to permit unannounced inspections of detention facilities, reports the Voice of America News.

New South Wales and Queensland state authorities denied access to inspectors from the U.N. subcommittee on prevention of torture last week despite calls from the federal government to comply.

Australia signed onto the optional protocol in 2017.

The U.N. subsequently said that Australia had breached its obligations under the protocol.

Disputes over federal and state funding for independent monitoring programs that are part of the torture protocol could be why inspectors were denied access to some detention centers, according to some reports.