Australia’s human rights body on Wednesday found the government breached the rights of a nine-year-old girl it detained for more than nine months, during which time she witnessed others self-harming.
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s former president Catherine Branson said the Immigration Department should pay Judy Tuifangaloka US$261,775 in compensation.
The young girl, her mother and five siblings were taken into detention on October 19, 2004 after their father was deported to Tonga and the rest of the family’s visas to remain in Australia were cancelled.
They were held in Sydney’s Villawood Immigration Detention Centre until 28 July 2005.
“During this time Miss Tuifangaloka witnessed acts of self-harm by other detainees,” the commission said in a statement.
“The department also concedes that there was a problem with rats in the complex.”
