On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the National Network highlight a brutal reality that too often goes unnoticed: the violence meted out against women and girls within the criminal legal system in this country. ‘Criminalised and imprisoned women are daily victims of state sanctioned violence and abuse. Yet, their suffering is largely ignored, and their human rights routinely violated,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
Right now, women prisoners who have been forcibly moved from Mparntwe Prison to Darwin are being held in appalling and unsafe conditions. ‘The women are being subjected to overcrowding, isolation from all of their supports, and harsh living conditions – including sleeping on mattresses on floors, air conditioners that don’t always work, and sometimes being confined outside where there is little to no shade. To make matters worse, in Alice Springs, bail hearings are being suspended, leaving people—many of whom have not been convicted of any crime—stuck in watch houses where basic human dignity is stripped away,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
Reports indicate that in the watch houses where people are being incarcerated, lights are kept on 24/7, prisoners are forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor, there is no access to education, exercise or visits. ‘Despite the clear violations of their rights, all that we hear from Northern Territory Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley is: “I’m not going to make any apologies for the fact that these prisoners are on mattresses on the floor.” Well, we say no more! We will not stand idly by while women and girls are subjected to this violence and denial of their legal rights. Their human rights, dignity, and legal entitlements are being disregarded daily, and this must end,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘The National Network are taking immediate action. We have referred these matters to the United Nations. We have written to Natasha Stott Despoja, Australia’s representative on the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), urging her to include this pressing issue in Australia’s March 2025 report to the CEDAW Committee. Specifically, we are calling for an examination of Section 22(g), which requires Australia to demonstrate that its places of detention conform to the Bangkok Rules and Nelson Mandela Rules. The appalling conditions at Darwin Correctional Centre highlight systemic failures to meet these obligations and reveal broader issues within Australia’s prison system,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘We have also written to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, urging them to prioritise a visit to Alice Springs as part of their scheduled mission to Australia in March 2025. We are asking the Working Group to examine the arbitrary detention practices that are contributing to the violation of detainees’; rights, particularly in light of the ongoing suspension of bail hearings in Alice Springs,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘Lastly, the National Network have written to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to update them on the ongoing abuses, particularly in relation to their suspended visit to Australia due to government obstruction. We have asked them to:
- Engage with the Australian Government to demand accountability for the suspension of
their visit and ensure access for future missions. - Investigate the specific conditions and policies in the Northern Territory as part of their mandate to prevent cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
- Issue urgent recommendations to the Australian Government to immediately address the systemic issues in the Northern Territory’s detention practices and ensure compliance with international human rights standards,’ said Tabitha Lean.
‘As a National Network of criminalised women, we will not rest until these women are safe, and their human and legal rights are upheld. This violation of women’s rights must come to an end. The system must be held accountable,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘We urge everyone who is calling for an end to violence against women on this International Day of Recognition to not forget women behind bars—those who are often out of sight and out of mind. Their suffering must not be ignored any longer. Join us in demanding action, before a tragedy demands retrospective reflection,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226
