Trudy
Please post this urgent request for written submissions for the Geneva
meeting of the UN CERD committee. Many thanks
David Hollinsworth
URGENT CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ON AUSTRALIAN RACISM.
Anti-Racist Information Service,
14 Avenue Trembley,
1209 Geneva
Switzerland
Ph: 41 22 740 35 30
Fax: 41 22 740 35 65
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ARIS is an anti-racist, non-profit, non-sectarian, non-governmental
organisation working for the implementation of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
(CERD).
ARIS works by providing the official United Nations CERD meeting and the
experts they use with information from non-government organisations
(NGOs) about the state of affairs in countries which have ratified the
CERD (like Australia). In March 1999, ATSIC and other Indigenous
representatives gave evidence to the CERD committee which found that
Australia was apparently in breach of CERD. Most concern was with the
racially discriminatory aspects of the Native Title Amendment Act. Other
issues included continuing Deaths in Custody, conflicts over mining
including Jabiluka, and the Beverley and Honeymoon mines in South
Australia.
As you are aware, the Howard government was quite contemptuous of the
CERD committee’s finding at the time. They will present further material
arguing that government policy is non-discriminatory and in line with
policy. It is vital that the committee receive alternative evidence
especially when backed up with good detail, statistics, examples of
adverse findings by other bodies such as Amnesty International, church
groups, parliamentary committees and so on.
ARIS has written to a number of Australian Indigenous Support groups and
anti-racist coalitions inviting submissions on these and other aspects
of Indigenous peoples’ struggles.
THIS IS VERY URGENT. The UN CERD committee will meet in Geneva from the
6th to the 24th of March 2000. Please post short summary (1 or 2 pages
is best) submissions airmail by Monday the 21st
AND/OR fax them through by the 24th of February.
It seems the UN Committee is influenced by hardcopy, factually based
material not passionate rhetoric. Although ARIS has a website and email,
must have signed and authorised documents.
Even if you can’t do a proper submission, please indicate your
condemnation of the failure of Federal, state and territory governments
to uphold the CERD in relation to Native Title, mandatory sentencing,
bilingual education, health services, etc.
Forwarded by David Hollinsworth
Ph: (08) 8274 1384
Fax: (08) 8271 3934
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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