An asylum seeker is someone who is seeking international protection but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined (Phillips 2011).
Political Context of Children in Detention
Section 4AA of the Migration Act explicitly states that a ‘minor shall only be detained as a measure of last resort”
In March of 2014, there were 584 children in detention centres on mainland Australia while 305 other children were held on Christmas Island. An additional 179 children were detained on Nauru. Under the Rudd government of 2013, all asylum seekers who arrived by boat on or after 19th of July 2013, were to be transferred to Nauru or Manus Island detention centres unless the Minister determines otherwise. Under Australian law, there is no prescribed limit to the time a child can be detained. The approximate days that children spend in these detention centres is one year and two months. Evidence shows that 85% of children in detention have significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. In this same time period, children have been assaulted more than 233 times, while there have been a reported 33 incidents of sexual assault. Australia’s current detention law, policy and practice does not address the particular vulnerabilities of asylum seeker children, nor does it afford them special assistance and protection. Mandatory detention does not consider the individual circumstances of children nor does it address the best interests of the child as a primary consideration. This is contrary to Australia’s obligations under article 3(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Children …show more content…
The issue of children asylum seekers is topical and very important because the attitudes of individuals and the policies of the government in relation to the children in detention, has a profound effect on the lives of many. Prejudiced and uninformed attitudes towards asylum seekers can cause emotional harm and promote