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UN reports finds Australian aborigines disadvantaged

1 September 2000 - A United Nations report says that Australia's Aboriginal people continue to be disadvantaged in employment, housing, health and education.

The UN Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights urged the Australian government to pursue reconciliation with the aborigines and try to improve their lives.

On another issue, the report also attacked Australia for failing to protect tenants from eviction, some as a result of preparations for the forthcoming Olympic Games.

However the committee did praise Australia for its leadership in providing economic and humanitarian assistance to East Timor.

But the BBC UN correspondent says the latest criticisms are likely to incense the Australian government, which recently decided to impose restrictions on future visits by UN human rights experts after a series of damning reports.

Australia has more than four-hundred-thousand aborigines, who make up about two-point-three per cent of the population.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service

Source: SSSS BBC News Online

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