2022-04-06
Senator Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations, has reiterated the call for the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) to be implemented across this Country.
Lines attributable to DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara Senator for Victoria Lidia Thorpe, the Greens spokesperson for Justice and First Nations:
“This so-called officer of the so-called Law needs to be sacked immediately. Their behaviour is absolute filth. We’re talking about a boy who was experiencing a mental health crisis who was then choked, sedated and inappropriately touched. Is this how we treat children in this Country? He was only 15! Where is the outrage?!”
“This is abhorrent behaviour from those who are supposed to serve and protect. The Greens demand independent oversight of police and prisons to stop our babies being abused. This is a matter of life and death. We can’t rely on Corrective Services to correct themselves. First Nations people are being traumatised by police who ignore our human rights.”
“This Country signed on to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) which requires a culturally safe, properly resourced, effective and independent oversight mechanism of places of detention.”
“Police violence is a national crisis. It’s critical that the Commonwealth Government shows leadership and provides the necessary resources to implement OPCAT. This is far too
important to be patchy and inconsistent across state lines. We need federal leadership to ensure the dignity of everyone in this country is respected.”
“Everyone, no matter where they are, has the right to be treated fairly and free from torture.”