UN slams Australia over NT abuse Michael Koziol A "shocked" United Nations has called on Australia to compensate victims of abuse in youth detention and extend the royal commission into juvenile justice nationwide. 
The global body noted children as young as 10 were "being held in inhumane conditions and treated cruelly", activities that could amount to a breach of Australia's human rights obligations.
"We are shocked by the video footage that has emerged from Don Dale youth detention centre in the Northern Territory in Australia," High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said through a spokesman.
"Most of the children who were held at the detention facility are deeply traumatised." The Commissioner said the disturbing footage aired by the ABC during the week could violate the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention Against Torture. Australia is a party to both treaties.
He praised the royal commission into the Northern Territory's juvenile detention and child protection systems as "an important step". But he encouraged the Turnbull government to expand the inquiry's scope "to establish that such appalling treatment is not taking place in any other place of detention in Australia".
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the inquiry's terms of reference on Thursday, less than 72 hours after the Four Corners documentary aired.
While few questioned the necessity of the royal commission, the central thrust of criticism was that Mr Turnbull's haste - as well as the limited consultation and scope - would ultimately devalue the inquiry.Many were also angered that NT Chief Minister Adam Giles was given input into the design of a probe into the actions of his government.