As part of the National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention 2014, inquiry staff visited immigration detention facilities to speak to children in detention. During these visits, staff gave the children paper and textas and asked them to draw something about their life. These drawings are the children’s submissions to the inquiry. Staff asked the children for their permission to publish their pictures.

The right of all children to express their views on matters affecting them is a guiding principle of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Australia is party. Article 12(1) of the Convention provides that:

States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.

More drawings by children in immigration detention can be viewed on the Australian Human Rights Commission Flickr page. Names and boat numbers appearing on these drawings have been redacted.

Please note that these drawings can only be republished in relation to the National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention 2014.