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UN Report on racism should be taken seriously

27 March 2002 - Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission - Media Release - The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr William Jonas, called on the Federal Government to treat seriously the concerns raised by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Racism in his report on Australia to the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Mr Maurice Glele-Ahanhanzo, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, visited Australia at the invitation of the Government from 22 April to 10 May 2001.

"The report highlights a number of crucial issues that have been raised with the government for some time now," said Dr Jonas. "It reinforces advice provided by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, ATSIC and others which have never been acted upon. As a consequence these issues continue to be raised and discussed at the international level. This is a legitimate consequence of domestic inaction on these issues."

The Special Rapporteur's report acknowledges that "Substantial efforts are being made by the Australian Government to end racism and racial discrimination"(para 132). In particular, the report acknowledges:

• the existence of programs to address Indigenous disadvantage "even if they have not yet succeeded in producing the desired results";
• the importance of recognition of ethnic diversity and the promotion of inter-ethnic harmony in Australian society, which should "not waver under the influence of electoral considerations"; and
• the "outstanding" question of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Significantly, the report also notes that: "For the Aboriginals, despite the democratic foundations of the Australian State and its desire to incorporate all its ethnic components on an egalitarian basis, (the) State is a manifestation of colonisation whose consequences remain to this day."
(para 133).

The Special Rapporteur's report makes 10 recommendations, which include:

• Reviewing the basis of multiculturalism policy so that it is based upon recognition of the right to difference and to cultural identity (Rec 1);
• Providing fresh impetus to the process of reconciliation, "taking greater account of the positions of the representatives of the Indigenous peoples" (Rec 2);
• Amending the Native Title Act in light of the proposals already made by Indigenous people (Rec 3);
• Seeking "a humane solution to the question of the 'stolen generation', whose situation is psychologically and socially blocked and desperate"(Rec 9); and
• That the Australian government "continue, improve and intensify the efforts already being made to combat racism and racial discrimination against the Aboriginal peoples, in particular attacking their extreme poverty" (Rec 10).
• The Government has responded to the report by highlighting a number of factual errors which it sees as destroying the overall credibility and authority of the report.

Dr Jonas said: "It is unfortunate that the report does contain some factual errors, but with one exception these errors do not affect the substance of the report's findings." The one error of substance relates to the report's failure to recognise that Australia has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

"It is of grave concern that each time a body expresses concerns about the Government's approach to human rights they face an aggressive attack on their credibility and a denial of the substance of the concerns," said Dr Jonas. "It is worth comparing the conclusions and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur with the conclusions of consultations on racism
conducted by HREOC in 2001. Such a comparison shows that the Special Rapporteur has raised issues of significant concern which must be addressed."

In the report of consultations by the Race Discrimination Commissioner, I want respect and equality, people across Australia highlighted the situation of Indigenous Australians as the greatest challenge to combating racism in Australia. They also highlighted denial of racism as one of the most prevalent forms of racism in Australia.

"The response to the Special Rapporteur's report extends the attacks of the Government on the UN human rights committees to other UN mechanisms. It is a continuation of this denial of the existence of racism in Australia," said Dr Jonas. "The government must stop obfuscating and shooting the messenger. Australia's international reputation is better served by acknowledging that, like every country of the world, we do have problems with racism and by recommitting to genuine efforts to address the issues."

Media release from: HREOC

To read the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Racism's report on
Australia to the UN Commission on Human Rights visit:
http://www.unhchr.ch/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/(Symbol)/E.CN.4.2002.24.Add.1.En?Opendocument
To read an overview of the Special Rapporteur's report visit:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/racial_discrimination/special_rapporteur_report.html
To view 'I want respect and equality', a summary of national consultations
on racism visit:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/racial_discrimination/consultations/consultations.html

Further information: human rights issues page - includes news index and external links

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