Human Rights
Human rights are about basic values such as dignity, freedom and equality. These basic values are essential for promoting an inclusive society in which all people in Australia can freely participate. Human rights are about creating and maintaining an environment of mutual respect and understanding. Here you can explore how these rights are advanced and defended for Australia’s cultural diverse people.
News
Back to the worst days of 2002, says Amnesty as 80 protestors hurried off to Curtin
Written by Administrator Monday, 06 September 2010 13:48
From Crikey.com
Sitting with asylum seekers on the side of the Stuart Highway
Pamela Curr, campaign co-ordinator at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, writes:
On Wednesday morning a large group of asylum seekers walked out of the Darwin detention centre and stood quietly by the Stuart Highway holding up bed sheets so that passing cars could read such messages as "Give us mercy." Pamela Curr, campaign co-ordinator, Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, was there:
Read more: Back to the worst days of 2002, says Amnesty as 80 protestors hurried off to Curtin
UN Human Rights Committee challenges Australia's record on racism
Written by Administrator Saturday, 28 August 2010 17:35
Two weeks ago Geneva witnessed a slightly bizarre non-confrontation between two agencies of the Australian government. DFAT staff presented the Australian government report to the UN on its implementation of our commitment to the 1966 International Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). Soon after Graeme Innes on behalf of the Australian Human Rights Commission tendered its submission, condemning the Australian government's reduced commitment to multiculturalism and its Intervention against Indigenous people Today the UN made its own statement. Innes welcomed the ICERD Committee response.
UN Report Summary
ABC Story
Read more: UN Human Rights Committee challenges Australia's record on racism
AHRC Race Commissioner calls for criminalisation of race hate at UN Hearings
Written by Administrator Tuesday, 17 August 2010 11:33
GRAEME INNES
Race Discrimination Commissioner
Australian Human Rights
Commission
I acknowledge the Chair and CERD Committee, the Australian Government delegation, and the Australian NGO delegation, in particular Dr Djiniyini Gondarra from East Arnhemland, and Rosie Kunoth Monks from Utopia. The Commission Shadow Report recognises, and welcomes, the Government's positive achievements addressing racial inequality in Australia. We recognise the constraints on Government of caretaker convention. And we welcome their commitment to maximise their participation in this session. I'll make three brief observations, and then turn to key issues from the Commission report.
Read more: AHRC Race Commissioner calls for criminalisation of race hate at UN Hearings
No holds barred for racism in Australian politics: Pino Migliorino in The Punch
Written by Administrator Thursday, 12 August 2010 10:53
Pino Migliorino FECCA President writes on Racism and Politics in The Punch.
One in four Australians experiences some form of racism. (“The People of Australia”, AMAC, April 2010). 83% of Australians agree that there is racial prejudice in Australia (“Challenging Racism, The anti-racism research project”, Prof Kevin Dunn et al, October 2008). In his discussion of different kinds of racism, Prof. Kevin Dunn includes amongst them that which protects “privilege” usually as perceived by the White establishment. The “quality of life” arguments of the current political debates around population are dangerously close to the privilege arguments of racism. Words such as conformity to “Australian” ways of life are being aired bravely. As Dunn points out, assimilationist positions are inherently anti-multicultural.
Read more: No holds barred for racism in Australian politics: Pino Migliorino in The Punch
Despite fears of increasing racism Dick Smith denies campaign has negative effects on minorities
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 11 August 2010 23:40
In a dramatic bid to focus attention on population growth, millionaire Dick Smith has offered A$1 million to the best idea by an under 30 year old to save the planet. The Sydney Morning Herald quotes Smith as saying his campaign has "nothing to do with racism" even though some people linked to the campaign may have more dubious pasts. Smith has also partly funded by way of guarantee a documentary on population to be aired on ABC Tv on Thursday 12 August. The film will be followed by a special Q and A. The promo for the film incorrectly states that immigration continues to grow under PM Gillard, when recent stats demonstrate a rapid falling off in immigration. The promo makes no mention that the "increase" is largely an artefact of a change in the way immigration was counted in 2006, when longer term temporary residents were added to immigration totals.
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