Category: juvenile justice

Stripped away of their rights, dignity and clothing: The strip search problem targeting young people in NSW

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The scenario is a simple one. You’ve just finished a long, hard day at work or school and begin your journey home. Suddenly, your normal journey is disrupted by a swarm of NSW Police encircling the train station turnstile you’re about to walk through. Two police officers stop you and subject you to an invasive Read more about Stripped away of their rights, dignity and clothing: The strip search problem targeting young people in NSW[…]

Abusive Treatment of Children in Juvenile Justice

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Young Indigenous people are 17 times more likely to be in detention than other Australians. Despite only 5% of the general population are Aboriginal persons aged 10-17, they make up almost half of those under youth justice supervision. The latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare youth justice report also found 39% of young Indigenous people were Read more about Abusive Treatment of Children in Juvenile Justice[…]

New NT Bill Bolsters Juvenile Injustice

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The Northern Territory (NT) Government aims to pass new youth justice laws, which contradict, undermine, and go against the damning findings and recommendations from Don Dale Detention Centre. The Royal Commission’s (RC) Report of 2017 found “shocking and systemic failures” over many years in the youth prison system. These are failures which continue to exist, Read more about New NT Bill Bolsters Juvenile Injustice[…]

Police Watchlist Targeting Children needs to be Removed

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In an earlier article this year, we wrote about a secret police watchlist called the Suspect Target Management Plan (STMP). The STMP is a list that identifies people who police believe are at risk of committing an offence in the future. Almost half of the people targeted by the STMP are under the age of Read more about Police Watchlist Targeting Children needs to be Removed[…]

Unlawful Imprisonment of Minors Involved in People Smuggling

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A group of 50 Indonesian minors who crewed asylum seeker boats are seeking compensation from the Australian government claiming that they were wrongfully imprisoned in adult detention facilities. Some of the minors were detained in maximum security facilities for over 2 years with their human rights neglected. The Australian government has previously faced similar compensation Read more about Unlawful Imprisonment of Minors Involved in People Smuggling[…]

Australia Criticised for ‘Serious Shortcomings’ in Human Rights Record

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The latest Human Rights Watch report released yesterday provides extensive criticism of Australia’s Human Rights records. O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors agrees with many of the findings having represented clients whose human rights have been neglected by institutions. The HRW report has identified some crucial areas as follows. Treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees Australia Read more about Australia Criticised for ‘Serious Shortcomings’ in Human Rights Record[…]

O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors: Year in Review

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O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors has had a remarkable year in 2017. We are proud of the wide range of successes that we’ve had this year that span from our involvement in Royal Commissions to our successful outcomes for clients in both criminal and civil cases and our pro bono work. A year filled with Read more about O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors: Year in Review[…]

Peter O’Brien on Current Issues in Juvenile Justice

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The Northern Territory is not alone when it comes to flagrant human rights abuses against some of the most vulnerable children in our community. Cases like Udin Sarfin’s and Saiful Baco’s illustrate the Commonwealth’s preparedness to put political expediency and populism before its concerns for basic civil liberties, including commitments under the United Nations Convention Read more about Peter O’Brien on Current Issues in Juvenile Justice[…]