Novak Djokovic drew global attention to Australia's immigration detention regime. Now we need proper scrutiny of all places of detention

Novak Djokovic's recent detention at Melbourne's Park Hotel drew international attention to Australia's use of hotels as «alternative places of detention» by immigration authorities.

But while Djokovic's detention was measured in days, others still remaining in the Park Hotel measure their detention in years.

Hotels are simply not appropriate places to detain people for extended periods. The hotels used for immigration detention have been found to lack dedicated facilities for exercise and recreation, there is often limited access to fresh air or outdoor space, and there have been media reports of maggoty food.

The human rights and health impacts of hotel detention are serious and well documented, including by the Australian Human Rights Commission. 

In 2017, Australia made an international commitment to embed a coordinated and independent inspection system for all places of detention. This commitment, known as the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT), was hailed by then foreign minister Julie Bishop as a «significant victory for human rights in Australia».

Today, January 20, 2022, was the deadline for Australia to implement its OPCAT commitments — but four years on from ratifying the protocol, Australia has failed to do so.

Had OPCAT been fully implemented, there would now be regular coordinated and comprehensive inspections of all places of detention aimed at identifying and preventing potential human rights issues before they occur. There would be greater transparency through public reporting of detention conditions, and more discussion and awareness of human rights issues in places of detention.

The detention of Serbian tennis star Novak