Indigenous woman shackled to hospital bed while in labour in Queensland
Summary
An Indigenous woman in Queensland was shackled to a hospital bed while she was in labour, according to an advocacy group. This incident happened just before a bill aiming to ban shackling of women during childbirth was blocked in the Australian Parliament.Key Facts
- An incarcerated Indigenous woman gave birth by caesarean section and was shackled intermittently while in hospital.
- Hospital staff tried to get the shackles removed but prison staff refused initially.
- The Queensland corrective services said the use of restraints would be reviewed and stated they should only be used as a last resort for safety.
- Senator Lidia Thorpe introduced bills to ban shackling and strip-searching of children in prisons.
- Australia has agreed to UN rules (Bangkok rules) saying restraints should never be used on women in labour or immediately after birth.
- The federal government said criminal justice is controlled by states, and the Coalition opposed the bill to ban shackling.
- Some politicians, including a Queensland Liberal senator, expressed concern and plan to raise the issue officially.
- Advocates criticize the federal government for not creating a national law to prevent shackling in childbirth.
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