FED: Child detention illegal, court hears

AAP General News (Australia)
02-03-2004
FED: Child detention illegal, court hears

CANBERRA, Feb 3 AAP - Holding children indefinitely in immigration detention centres
was illegal because it was unnecessary, the High Court was told today.

Four Afghani siblings, aged from seven to 15, have been in detention with their parents
since they arrived in Australia more than three years ago.

Their lawyer Gavan Griffith, QC, argued that the children's detention was unlawful
because it was unconstitutional and punitive.

"What takes it beyond (the government's) power ... is it is not reasonably capable
of …