This week, the UN working group on arbitrary detention has started a 12-day mission to assess Australia's detention practices. This includes assessments of prisons, police stations and institutions for juveniles, migrants and people with psychosocial disabilities.
The alleged mistreatment at detention facilities has sparked renewed calls from a national coalition of legal, academic and advocacy organisations for Australia to overhaul its detention scheme. The issue has been well documented by UN bodies and human rights organisations in Australia and overseas.