Australian immigration detention has been identified as perpetuating ongoing human rights violations. Concern has been heightened by the assessment of clinicians involved and by the United Nations that this treatment may in fact constitute torture. We discuss the allegations of torture within immigration detention, and the reasons why healthcare providers have an ethical duty to report them. Finally, we will discuss the protective power of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as a means of providing transparency and ethical guidance.

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morality refugee Australia Europe professional standard human ethics Refugees statistics and numerical data conflict of interest Human Rights Abuses Moral Obligations Professional Role human rights human rights abuse asylum seeker Humans Mandatory Reporting punishment legislation and jurisprudence migration Emigration and Immigration Sex Offenses sexual crime Torture