Arabic version: الأمم المتحدة تُمنع من دخول مركز احتجاز الأحداث في داروين

According to ABC News, the Northern Territory government has refused to meet United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Albert Barume or allow him to inspect Darwin’s Holtze Youth Detention Centre. Mr Barume had planned to visit the facility during a trip to Australia this month, alongside Queensland’s Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

The refusal is the second time in almost a year that the Country Liberal Party government has blocked UN access to Northern Territory jails. The Department of Corrections confirmed the visit was not being facilitated, saying the territory’s prisons were already subject to established independent oversight and accountability arrangements.

Darwin barrister John Lawrence SC said he believed the government had “a lot to hide” and that scrutiny of conditions could expose issues and lead to civil suits. He said the prospects of abuse at Holtze were “very large and urgently require scrutiny”. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children make up almost all of the NT youth detention population on any given day.

In January, ABC reported incidents in the 12 months after Holtze opened in November 2024, including nine young people hospitalised for self-harm, two sexual assaults, 127 detainee-on-detainee assaults, escapes and a hunger strike. The 2024-25 NT children commissioner’s annual report also detailed extended lockdowns and inappropriate use of force.

Human Rights Law Centre senior lawyer Sohini Mehta said the government was trying to “shun scrutiny” of practices she said were inconsistent with Australia’s international human rights obligations. The NT Labor opposition condemned the decision but did not commit to permitting a visit if returned to power. A spokesperson for Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said participation was a matter for each state and territory, while encouraging jurisdictions to engage constructively with the Special Rapporteur.