Amnesty International strongly backs recommendations handed down by the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) Review Board yesterday, to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act.

The Board urged the Government to reinstate all forms of legislation prohibiting racial discrimination immediately. This echoes calls made by Amnesty International more than 12 months ago, when the intervention was first announced.

"Consultation and community engagement were among the first recommendations of the Little Children are Sacred report, on which the intervention was launched," says Rodney Dillon, Indigenous Rights Coordinator Amnesty International Australia.

"These critical recommendations were ignored and, a year on, independent review has found the effectiveness of the intervention has been diminished because it failed to consult with communities."

The Report supports Amnesty International's position that strengthening the human rights framework is essential in the protection of women and children in Indigenous communities.

It is important to note that the Board's views were reached after extensive consultation with the Aboriginal communities directly affected by the intervention.

"The Board found a deep belief in Indigenous communities that NTER measures were racially based. "It is essential the Minister for Indigenous Affairs immediately reinstate all racial discrimination legislation, and re-set the relationship between government and Indigenous communities. The Government must protect the principle of racial equality and ensure respect for the fundamental human rights of all Australians," says Rodney Dillon.