UN ends Australia anti-torture mission after inspectors barred

The United Nations unexpectedly terminated its anti-torture mission in Australia after inspectors were denied access to multiple prisons, with a major monitoring agency criticising the "embarrassing fiasco" on Monday.

The inspectors, who were tasked with examining facilities as part of a voluntary agreement to minimise cruelty to detainees, claimed they made the "draconian" decision after being denied access to "many" jails and detention centres.

Maldivian Supreme Court judge and chief inspector Aisha Muhammad stated that Australia was in "obvious violation" of its international commitments.

In 2017, Australia adopted the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, pledging to improvements to protect detainees and make facilities subject to inspection.

Former prison inspector Steven Caruana coordinated the national organisation responsible for monitoring the convention's implementation in Australia.

"Australia will have to explain this embarrassing fiasco to the United Nations Committee against Torture," he said.

Australia's unwillingness to accept the inspectors stemmed from a disagreement between the federal and state governments about finance.

The federal government ratified the convention, but it was up to the states and territories to put it into effect.

New South Wales and Queensland, two eastern states comprising about half of Australia's population, have impeded the convention's implementation by claiming they require additional funds.

The UN delegation stated that New South Wales prevented UN inspectors from entering a small courthouse cell last week.

According to the Queensland Health department, inspectors were denied access to inpatient units at mental health facilities in Queensland.