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MPs Support Sorry Book

By Mick Jovetic

13 April 1998 - British MPs are starting to rally behind the Sorry Book campaign and "one of the great disgraces of the world".

The Australians for Native Title has called on the House of Commons to sign the book in recognition of the human rights abuses inflicted on the Aboriginal people and the Howard Government's refusal to apologise for them.

Already six have backed the campaign including the chairperson of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights, Mrs Ann Clywd.

Mrs Clywd wrote, "The truth is sometimes difficult to accept but we must all accept responsibility."

The group deputy chair Mr Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, said everyone had to strive for reconciliation.

"The treatment of the Aborigines and Torres Straite Islanders settler colonists and imperialists is one of the great disgraces of the world; their poverty, suffering and cultural needs must be met, and respect and reconciliation be al our watchword," Mr Corbyn wrote in the Sorry Book.

Australian Patricia Hewitt Labour MP and assistant to Tony Blair, said the apologies would help to create a new foundation and a promising future for Australia. "Like most Australians of my generation I grew up largely in ignorance of the violence and injustice inflicted upon Indigenous Australians by European settlers.

"My individual apology is part of a collective act of reconciliation that, I hope, will form the foundation for a just Australia," she wrote.

MP for Dudley North, Ross Cranston, a fourth generation Australian, said Australian politicians refusing to apologise were, not just insensitive, but doing nothing to help Australia's standing in the world.

The Labour politician who took over from Margaret Thatcher in the Finchly constituency, Rudi Vis, and long-standing community activist Tony Benn also signed.

The Sorry Book, which was signed by more than 100 people while it was housed at TNT offices, will be available for signing at the St. Mary le Strand church opposite the Australian High Commission from April 16th - 24th.

This article is from TNT Magazine

related links:

• British MPs were invited to sign the Sorry Book
• Digest for MPs

Further information: stolen generations issues page - includes news index and external links