Australian Human Rights Commission
e-bulletin
November 2010
Welcome
Welcome to the November issue of the Australian Human Rights Commission's monthly e-bulletin, where we will keep you up-to-date with our latest programs, projects and news.
Please forward to friends and colleagues who have an interest in human rights and social justice issues.
In this e-bulletin
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner outlines priorities at National Press Club
- Human rights agencies call for action on UN racial discrimination report
- Report calls for end to mandatory detention on Christmas Island
- Shortlists announced for 2010 Human Rights Awards
- See below for more...
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner outlines priorities at National Press Club
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Commissioner Mick Gooda speaking at the National Press Club, Canberra |
Commissioner Mick Gooda will use his term to focus on developing stronger and deeper relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the rest of Australia, with all levels of government, and between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples themselves.
During an Address to the National Press Club last week, Commissioner Gooda also committed to working closely with Australia’s political leaders and Australians over the next three years to achieve a successful referendum in 2013 to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution.
“This referendum about a change to our Constitution is not just about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s not about looking back but about looking forward and moving forward as one, united nation,” Commissioner Gooda said.
He said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples around the country were still hurting as a result of the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act when the Northern Territory Intervention was imposed, and he called on governments to end a ‘bureaucratic territorialism’ which still marked much inter-departmental and community engagement with Indigenous communities.
His National Press Club address can be found online at: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/speeches/social_justice/2010/20101103_npc.html
Human rights agencies call for action on UN racial discrimination report
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Amy Lamoin, Senior Policy Officer, Australian Human Rights Commission, Joris de Bres, New Zealand Race Relations Commissioner, Graeme Innes, Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner and Sam Sefuiva, Principal Advisor, New Zealand Human Rights Commission, at the Australia and New Zealand Race Relations Roundtable, Canberra |
Australian human rights agencies have called for the full and prompt implementation of the recent UN CERD report on racial discrimination in Australia.
At the annual meeting of the Australia and New Zealand Race Relations Roundtable, state and federal human rights commissioners welcomed the report and specifically called for action on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the protection of Indigenous languages, the provision of interpreter services and the development of a national anti-racism strategy.
Commissioners agreed that the Declaration was an important foundational document for human rights in Australia and New Zealand and called on their respective governments to identify the practical actions they will take to implement and apply it.
They emphasised the critical importance of language as a human right and its impact on the enjoyment of all other rights including access to justice, education and health services. They agreed to cooperate in promoting the protection of endangered Indigenous languages in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.
Commissioners specifically supported the call by the UN CERD Committee and the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council for a national anti-racism strategy to counter the harmful economic, social and cultural effects of racial discrimination.
Australia New Zealand Race Relations Roundtable, Canberra 2010 Communiqué: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/media_releases/2010/112_10_communique.html
Report calls for end to mandatory detention on Christmas Island
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Perimeter fence, Christmas Island Immigration Detention Centre |
The Commission released its 2010 Christmas Island immigration detention report late last month and again recommended an end to mandatory detention and offshore processing on Christmas Island.
Commission President Catherine Branson QC said the Commission’s concerns about Christmas Island had been compounded this year by the significant increase in the number of people in detention on the island which had led to overcrowding and deteriorated conditions.
“There are around 2500 people in immigration detention on Christmas Island, including families with children and unaccompanied minors. Many people have been detained for months," Ms Branson said.
“We have real concerns about this. It is well known that detaining people for long and indefinite periods can have serious impacts on their mental health,” she said.
She acknowledged the significant efforts of staff from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship who were doing their best in challenging circumstances.
Ms Branson said that ultimately, the current system which subjects people to mandatory detention for indefinite periods must be reconsidered.
The media release can be found at: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/media_releases/2010/106_10.html
The report, 2010 Immigration detention on Christmas Island, is available at: www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/immigration/idc2010_christmas_island.html
Shortlists announced for 2010 Human Rights Awards
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Audience at the 2009 Human Rights Medals and Awards ceremony |
Thirty-five entries have been shortlisted by the judging panels for the Commission’s 2010 Human Rights Awards.
Commission President Catherine Branson QC, said the shortlists were judged from more than 200 high-quality entries nominated from around Australia.
“If the shortlists are anything to go by, Australia has seen a very dedicated and active group of human rights activists this year,” Ms Branson said.
Award winners will be presented with their trophies at the annual gala luncheon at the Grand Ballroom, Sheraton on the Park Hotel, Sydney, on Friday 10 December 2010.
Winners of the 2010 Human Rights Medal and Young People’s Human Rights Medal will be announced on the day, which will have radio and TV personality Jane Caro as MC.
Commission President Catherine Branson will also deliver the annual Human Rights Day Oration.
Tickets are now available and selling fast. Ticket prices are $80 or $50 concession, which includes a two-course luncheon and drinks. Phone 02 9284 9618 to order your tickets now or go to hrawards@humanrights.gov.au
The Awards shortlists can be found at: www.humanrights.gov.au/hr_awards/shortlist.html
Recent media releases
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Human rights agencies call for action on UN racial discrimination report (11 November 2010)
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Commitment to Constitutional recognition applauded (8 November 2010)
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Unleashing the potential of Indigenous Australia (3 November 2010)
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International Student Strategy misses the mark (3 November 2010)
Recent speeches
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From international principles to everyday reality: human rights education in Australia
President, Catherine Branson QC (4 November 2010) -
How we can work together to combat Racism
Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes AM (4 November 2010) -
Towards a reconciled Australia
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda (3 November 2010)
Recent publications
Recent submissions
Recent podcasts
Two new Pod Rights episodes are now available.
Episode 21 (8 November) - Commissioner Mick Gooda
Following his address at the National Press Club, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda, talks to Race and Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes about his agenda and the issues associated with it.
Episode 20 (25 October) - Mental ill health
Professor Pat McGorry, who was named Australian of the Year 2010, has devoted his time in this position to raising the profile of mental ill health issues. In this instalment of PodRights, Professor McGorry talks to Disability and Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, about the challenges faced by the mental health system in Australia today.
Go to www.humanrights.gov.au/podcasts for audios and transcripts of all Pod Rights.
Get involved - upcoming events
For the latest media releases, speeches, opinion pieces, go to the media centre on the Commission’s website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/about/media/
