Queensland to probe alleged abuse at youth detention center

Sydney, Australia, Aug 19 (efe_epa). —  Queensland State AttorneyGeneral and Justice Minister Yvette D’Ath on Friday ordered an independent review of government procedures following complaints of abuse in a juvenile detention center.

D’Ath’s order comes after images taken by security cameras showed a series of abuses against young people detained at the Cleveland youth detention center in Queensland.

One of the videos, aired on Australia’s ABC channel, shows a 17yearold boy, lying face down in handcuffs and ankle cuffs, being stripped naked by five guards and left for an hour in the room, while another shows a girl swimming in the center’s pool and being threatened by a security guard with a dog without a muzzle.

The authorities were aware of the alleged abuses as the videos were kept along with government reports written between 2013 and 2015 by Queensland Government’s Youth Detention Inspectorate.

In some of the reports, the inspectors had determined there was excessive application of force that could violate laws and had demanded an internal investigation into the Cleveland center.

The center, however, refused to start a probe, claiming they did not have enough staff.

“Last night, however, very serious allegations were levelled against the staff of youth detentions centres by former detainees and former employees,” said D’Ath.

D’Ath ordered the independent review “to address all allegations that have been made and any additional allegations that may come forward,” reported ABC.

The Minister pointed out that the review will focus on practices, operation and supervision of the facilities for minors and expects to submit a report in November.

The abuses at the Cleveland center coincides with similar abuses that were reported at the Don Dale Youth Center in the city of Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory.

Towards the end of July, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asked for a government investigation into the Don Dale center following a report by ABC that showed the ill treatment of children by the center’s guards.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture Juan Mendez said that the incidents of alleged abuse in the Don Dale center may amount to torture or degrading and cruel inhuman treatment under any circumstances.

The UN had urged Australia to investigate the incidents, identify the perpetrators for trials, and provide compensation and psychological aid to the affected children.