China has expressed 'grave concern' after internal documents revealed that the US private prison company running Australia's immigration system was warned a newly detained Chinese citizen had expressed suicidal ideation less than 24 hours before she died by suicide in a Melbourne detention centre.
Key facts
- A Chinese citizen died by suicide in a Melbourne immigration detention centre.
- Internal documents show the operator was warned of suicidal ideation and a history of self-harm less than 24 hours before her death.
- The centre is run by a US private prison company that operates Australia's immigration system.
- China has expressed 'grave concern' over the death.
- Questions have been raised about whether the woman was properly monitored and placed in an appropriate room.
China has expressed ‘grave concern’ following the death of one of its citizens in a Melbourne immigration detention centre, after internal documents revealed the operator had been warned she was a suicide risk shortly before she died, according to the Guardian.
The documents show that the US private prison company running Australia’s immigration system was warned that the newly detained Chinese citizen had expressed suicidal ideation and had a history of self-harm less than 24 hours before she died by suicide, the Guardian reported.
The revelations have raised serious questions about whether the detainee was properly monitored during her time at the facility, and whether she was placed in a room appropriate to her state of mind.
The immigration detention centre is operated by a US private prison company that runs Australia’s immigration system, according to the Guardian’s exclusive report.
The case highlights concerns about the treatment and monitoring of detainees known to be at risk of self-harm within Australia’s privately run detention system.
Why it matters
The death raises questions about the standard of care and monitoring provided to vulnerable detainees in Australia's immigration detention system, which is run by a private US company. It also carries diplomatic weight, with China expressing 'grave concern' over the death of one of its citizens.
Frequently asked questions
Who was operating the detention centre?
According to the Guardian, the centre is run by a US private prison company that operates Australia's immigration system.
Was the operator aware of the risk?
Internal documents show the operator was warned that the Chinese citizen had expressed suicidal ideation and had a history of self-harm less than 24 hours before she died, the Guardian reported.
How has China responded?
China has expressed 'grave concern' over the death, according to the Guardian.