Submission by REDRESS to Australia’s Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee inquiry into the wrongful detention of Australian citizens overseas. The submission outlines REDRESS’s recommendations that the Australian Government assess its policies to ensure the protection of its nationals overseas from torture and ill-treatment, including consulting survivors and families to inform reforms. It suggests that Australia consider stronger responses to the arbitrary detention and State hostage-taking of its nationals, such as creating a dedicated team to handle such cases and ensuring legal accountability for perpetrators. Additionally, it suggests that the Australian Government should collaborate with allies on multilateral responses, such as sanctions, and consider introducing a legal right to consular assistance and mandatory diplomatic protection in certain cases.
