Calls on WA to apologise for death in custody 30 years on

The Western Australian government is being asked to apologise to the family of teenager John Pat, who died in police custody 30 years ago.

John Pat anniversary

Protests over John Pat's death in Perth. Source: SBS

The first of a series of rallies organised by the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee took place today in Perth.

The Deaths in Custody Watch Committee in Western Australia launched a series of rallies and protests across the country to mark the 30th anniversary of the John Pat case.

In 1983, the then 16-year-old died from injuries sustained during a brutal assault and arrest by police officers. The tragedy devastated the Pilbara community of Roebourne and sparked moves to a Royal Commission. 

There have been no convictions in the John Pat case.

Natasha Moore, Chairperson of the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee, says three decades on, there are still recommendations from the Royal Commission which have not been implemented.

She says on September 28 there will be calls for action.

"We plan to meet at Parliament House in the evening. We plan to have a list of speakers speaking on the day. Also we'll be passing a motion through parliament asking them to apologise to Mavis Pat and the family," she said.

Watch the video for the full story.


Share
1 min read

Published

Updated

By Craig Quartermaine
Source: NITV News

Share this with family and friends


Subscribe to the NITV Newsletter

Receive the latest Indigenous news, sport, entertainment and more in your email inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Interviews and feature reports from NITV.
A mob-made podcast about all things Blak life.
Get the latest with our nitv podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on NITV
The Point: Referendum Road Trip

The Point: Referendum Road Trip

Live weekly on Tuesday at 7.30pm
Join Narelda Jacobs and John Paul Janke to get unique Indigenous perspectives and cutting-edge analysis on the road to the referendum.
#ThePoint
Calls on WA to apologise for death in custody 30 years on | SBS NITV