By Jorge Andres
Another three Aboriginal people have died within three days in prisons set up on their land. One wonders if this counts as "un-Australian".
On Wednesday, October 23, an Aboriginal woman died at the Townsville Women's Jail, aged 31. The following Sunday, a young Aboriginal man died from drowning after escaping from Welston Park Hospital and being pursued by police. A day later, a 30-year-old Torres Strait Islander man hung himself with his shoelaces at the Sir David Longland Correctional Centre.
Since May 1989, 108 indigenous Australians have died in custody. The NSW Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Watch Committee believes this is sad proof that the recommendations made by the black deaths in custody royal commission are not being implemented.
Under pressure from these recent deaths, the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, John Herron, has given notice of a summit on black deaths in custody to be held next May, and preceded by a conference on February 17-18.
The Watch Committee is demanding that the summit include representatives from community organisations campaigning on the issue of deaths in custody. They also believe that the summit must be "broken into three separate summits, covering prisons, police and court systems". Otherwise it is likely to be just another political talk-fest and cover-up.
[For further information contact Ray Jackson at the watch committee on (02) 9264 9895.]