Torture claims at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital w/ Mike Ferriss: January 20th, 2020

The United Nations Committee on Torture recently released a report requesting the NZ government reinvestigate torture claims at the former psychiatric hospital Lake Alice. The report is a result of a complaint from 2017 by Victor Boyd of independent watchdog group Citizen’s Commission on Human Rights on behalf of a previous patient of the facility. The UN has upheld that complaint recommending the government conduct a ‘prompt, impartial and independent investigation’ into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment at Lake alice, as well as, where appropriate, the filling of ‘specific torture and/or ill-treatment charges against perpetrators, and the application of the corresponding penalties under domestic law.’ The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry has announced it would investigate the allegations, but they have said they will not make any findings ‘civil, criminal or disciplinary liability’ as recommended by the UN. Mike Ferriss is the current director of CCHR New Zealand, Deb Rawson spoke with him to find out more.

Please note this conversation contains discussions of torture including electrocution and sexual assault