Black Deaths in Custody--Must STOP! (Australia)
Thought you might like to have a look at this Facebook 'cause' - it's got an article about one of the more recent Aboriginal deaths in custody - coronial inquest is happening currently & if you get to check it out Joe Geia's comment is 'interesting'.
Minelle posted an announcement to the cause Black Deaths in Custody Must Stop!.
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http://apps.facebook.com/causes/sharings/346831?m=73cea45f
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View Announcement - Invite Friends
Thanks,
The Causes Team
Black Deaths in Custody Must Stop!
To Stop Black Deaths In Custody
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Paul Carter, an Aboriginal man from Mildura, was not in police custody but died shortly after being left on a lonely highway by police officers in 2006.
An Inquest is being held into his death, and it is being treated as a Black Death in Custody, but police have not been called to give evidence, because it might implicate them in his death.
Between October 1987 and November 1990, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody investigated the deaths of ninety-nine Aboriginal persons in police and prison custody.
The Final Report of the RCIADIC submitted in May 1991 contained 339 recommendations directed towards the elimination of disadvantage and towards the empowerment and self- determination of Aboriginal society. At the time, the ATSIC Board of Commissioners endorsed these recommendations.
Today, nearly 20 years later, Aboriginal people are still dying in police custody, and many of the recommendations have still not been implemented.
Paul Carter died after midnight on August 7, 2006 -- just hours after the death of his brother.
The Coroner's Court at Mildura heard that about 45 minutes before he died, Carter had been picked up from his girlfriend's house by senior- constables Nigel Hoyle and Steve Ritchie, following a domestic dispute.
The police officers had been given the address of Carter's parents and had intended to take him there, but missed a turn and drove down the Sturt Highway.
The two policemen say that Mr Carter asked to be let out of the divisional van several kilometres outside town, so he could walk and clear his head.
Paul Carter died instantly when a service truck on its way to Mildura hit him on the Sturt Highway, not far from the Mildura airport. An autopsy revealed Carter had a blood alcohol reading of 0.17, which would have impaired his ability to walk, but family members say Carter was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Regardless, Paul Carter’s death is a direct result of him being released from police custody. His family believe his death was a tragedy that wouldn't have happened had police looked after his safety. |