Hi Susan,
Thank you for your report. Here is the article. The Australian media,
other than the ABC, hasn't bothered to mention it. Maybe tomorrow ...
BBC NEWS
Sunday, 3 December, 2000, 05:31 GMT
Mass march for
aborigines [sic]
The UN has expressed concern over the
treatment of aborigines [sic]
By Red Harrison in Sydney
Thousands of people in Australia have been
marching through the cities of Melbourne
and Perth in a symbolic gesture of support
for the country's aborigines. [sic]
In Melbourne, an estimated 200,000 people
waving banners, balloons and coloured flags
blocked the heart of the city for hours.
Led by an array of
political, indigenous
and civic leaders as
well as
representatives of
churches, trade
unions, students and
ethnic groups, the
march indicated what
aboriginal [sic] leaders say
is overwhelming
support for a treaty
between black and
white Australia which
recognises and apologises for the injustices
of the past.
In October, international aid organisation
Oxfam criticised Australia for failing to
protect the basic rights of indigenous
Australians.
The report said
Australia was the only
country in the world
with a constitution
that allows racial
discrimination.
In another attack in
July, Australia was
criticised for its
treatment of
Aborigines by a UN Human Rights
Committee.
The committee
expressed concern at
the marginalisation
and discrimination
suffered by
Aborigines in
Australian society.
Geoffrey Clark,
chairman of the
government's senior
aboriginal [sic] authority,
says marchers should
remember this day for
the rest of their lives.
"It's something that as a small child you'll
remember - to be able to walk down the
street with your family.
"And one day you'll sit back and reflect as to
why and the reasons behind that and you'll
realise that you're part of history, you're
part of a turning point in this history of this
country, where we're now forged together
as a united nation."
Among the political leaders from all parties,
the Prime Minister, John Howard, was
notably absent.
Mr Howard refuses to apologise to
aborigines [sic] for events that happened before
he was born.
Susan Darling wrote:
>
> Hi Trudy
> Thought you'd like to know that the Melbourne walk figured prominently overnight on
>the BBC World Service. Reports included
> - estimates of 200-400,000 people, more than expected, marching for reconciliation.
>- Aboriginal leaders said it showed that public opinion overwhelmingly supported a
>treaty
> - Geoff Clark quoted as saying that this would be a turning point in Australian
>history
> - Noted that John Howard did not take part and would not apologise for events that
>happened before he was born.
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