Inquest into the death of Muhammad Hafizuddin Bin Zaini

Findings and Recommendations

Findings and Recommendations of Inquest

Case Number: 2020/352738

Date of Findings: 6 March 2025

Magistrate: Deputy State Coroner, Elizabeth Ryan

CORONIAL LAW - Death of person in immigration detention – self-inflicted intentional death – was mental health care adequate – were there adequate communications regarding repatriation to home country – were there adequate measures to reduce risk of hanging.

Responses

Recommendations

1. That the Commonwealth review the role of a detainee's Status Resolution Officer under the 2023 Procedural Instruction with a view to considering whether there is an opportunity to improve the process concerning:

a) the manner in which news or messages which, it might reasonably be expected, will be distressing to a detainee are communicated to that detainee; and

b) the support provided to a detainee at a time when that detainee is delivered news or messages referred to in a paragraph (a) above.

2. That as a matter of priority, the Commonwealth:

a) extend its 'ligature review' to all accommodation and bathroom areas within the Villawood Detention Immigration Centre (VIDC) as part of an Administrative Capital Works project; and

b) commit to taking reasonable steps to remove ligature points identified in the ligature review.