from The West Australian
The death of an Aboriginal elder from heatstroke in the back of a prison van in the remote Goldfields has captured the attention of the United Nations.
A UN representative on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and Punishment contacted the Australian Government last year seeking information on the death of Warburton resident Mr Ward, who collapsed while being taken from Kalgoorlie to Laverton in 42C heat in January last year.
Mr Ward, 46, had been placed in custody after being charged with drink driving.
He had third-degree burns to his stomach and died after being taken to Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital.
The Department of Corrective Services yesterday confirmed that an inquiry about the death in custody, from the UN Special Rapporteur in September, had been referred to the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Shadow corrective services minister Margaret Quirk urged the Government to release its response to the UN inquiry, saying there was an enormous level of public interest in Mr Ward’s death.
A coronial inquest into Mr Ward’s death, which sparked a review of prisoner transport services, will resume in Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Monday.
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