-----Original Message----- From: Webcentral <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >25 August 2000 > > > >UN sees through gloss on harsh reality >A United Nations committee considering Australia's compliance with an >international treaty on social and cultural rights has shown an impressive >level of awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues, >according to ATSIC Commissioners at the hearing. >Overnight the Geneva-based committee began assessing the Australian >government's Third Periodic Report submitted under articles 16 and 17 of the >International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. >ATSIC has lodged a detailed report, submitting that the enjoyment by >Indigenous peoples within Australia of their economic, social and cultural >rights falls significantly short of the standards mandated by the Covenant. >During the reporting period, the federal government's approach has been >increasingly to remove policy responsibility from Indigenous peoples, >abdicate its own responsibility and delegate responsibility to state and >territory Governments. >ATSIC Commissioner Brian Butler, from South Australia, said the Australian >government's report was inadequate and incoherent. >"In addition, government officials appearing before the committee are >attempting to misdirect its inquiries, or at least put a gloss on a harsh >reality," Commissioner Butler said. >"For example, one official responded to questions on health by comparing >Indigenous statistics in the 1990s with Indigenous statistics in the 1970s. >The real issue is how Indigenous statistics compare with non-Indigenous >statistics. >"Another official claimed improvements in Indigenous health by citing a >trend towards 'western lifestyle diseases'. This doesn't answer concerns >about the continuing high level of illness in Indigenous communities. >"This early in the process, the committee has also expressed concern about >the reduction in native title rights and about moves away from the policy of >self-determination." >ATSIC Commissioner Elia Doolah, from the Torres Strait, said the committee >could make a real and tangible contribution to addressing issues of >Indigenous disadvantage. >"This process of accountability can assist governments to understand their >responsibilities and encourage them to enter into dialogue over what needs >to be done," he said. >This is the third UN committee to consider the handling of Indigenous issues >by Australian governments. Previous submissions have been considered by the >Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the >Human Rights Committee. >ATSIC's submission to each have, in total, substantiated the common >knowledge that Australia is not complying with important obligations under >the major international human rights treaties. In each case, the Australian >government was seen to be in disregard of its obligations. >Consideration of Australia's compliance with the International Covenant on >Economic, Social and Political Rights will continues through Friday (Geneva >time). A report from the committee is not expected until late next week. >The ATSIC submission is available under 'International Issues' at >www.atsic.gov.au > > > >Further information: Martin Freckmann 02 6121 4962 > > > > ------------------------------------------------------ RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." RecOzNet2 is archived for members @ http://www.mail-archive.com/recoznet2%40paradigm4.com.au/
