29-10-2002 - International Decade of the World's Indigenous People - Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

New York

Permanent Mission address: 150 East 42 Street, Level 33, New York, New York 10017 - Telephone: 1 212 351 6600 - Fax: 1 212 351 6610

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Statement by Mr James Choi, Second Secretary,
Australian Mission to the United Nations, to the United Nations

Item 107: International Decade of the World's Indigenous People

New York
29 October 2002

Australia is a unique and successful multicultural democracy. By promoting cultural diversity and tolerance, Australia has created a harmonious and inclusive society that is firmly opposed to racism in all its forms.

The Australian Government is unequivocal in its opposition to racism and is committed to strong action to address it. It remains our firm view that the international community can only combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance effectively if we implement forward looking, positive and concrete measures at the national, regional and international levels.

This was the approach we took to last year's World Conference Against Racism. We were deeply disappointed that our desire to achieve practical outcomes was impeded by divisive political discussions.

While we have made clear our strong reservations about the process, Australia recognises the Declaration and Programme of Action contain a number of conclusions and recommendations which are important and valuable. Australia is committed to implementing such recommendations as part of our broader and continuing commitment to the global fight against racism. We look forward to continued cooperation with fellow UN member states for this purpose.

Australia has demonstrated that it is open to cooperation with UN mechanisms in our efforts to address racism issues domestically. To this end, Australia invited the Special Rapporteur on Racism to visit Australia, and facilitated an extensive program of meetings to provide him with a broad spectrum of views.

It was therefore disappointing to note that the Special Rapporteur's report presented to the Commission on Human Rights contained a number of serious errors of fact and failed to adequately comprehend complex issues such as the process of reconciliation with Australia's indigenous people.

It was equally disappointing that the Special Rapporteur chose not to take into account any of the extensive comments or corrections that the Australian Government passed over prior to the report's release. We further note, with disappointment, the misrepresentation of Australia's concerns in the Special Rapporteur's report to the General Assembly as merely clerical in nature, and the selective reproduction of only a few of our corrections in the corrigendum referred to in this report.

In conclusion, Australia remains committed to fighting the scourge of racism. In these increasingly uncertain times, the Australian Government will further encourage its people to take a stand against racism, prejudice and intolerance and to help build a peaceful, productive environment for future generations.