Amnesty International is calling on the Australian Government to end policies that racially discriminate against Indigenous peoples and those seeking asylum in Australia at a UN meeting in Geneva today.

The UN Committee that monitors States’ implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination will hear from non-government organisations, the Australian Human Rights Commission and government representatives as it examines Australia’s record on racial equality and non-discrimination.

“The buck stops with the Australian Government and it has failed to honour its human rights obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in a number of fundamental ways,” said Amnesty International Australia’s National Director, Claire Mallinson.

Amnesty International has documented 14 recommendations for Government action in its 32-page written submission to the Committee.

“We are seriously concerned about the impact of racially discriminatory policies instigated by the Australian Government on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those seeking asylum in this country,” said Claire Mallinson.

Of particular concern to the organisation is the continuation of racially discriminatory measures introduced under the Northern Territory Emergency Response and since championed by successive governments.

“The last time Australia formally appeared before this Committee was 2005, so well before the intervention and its raft of racially discriminatory measures were in full swing,” said Claire Mallinson.

“Regardless of the outcome of the election, the Government of the day must reinstate full legal protections against racial discrimination. It must also put an end to any intervention measure that does not comply with the Convention,” said Claire Mallinson.

The processing suspension of asylum claims from Afghan nationals, a move that constitutes discrimination on the basis of country of origin, is also of serious concern.

“Refusing to process visa applications from asylum seekers fleeing oppression in war-torn Afghanistan is completely unacceptable. The discrimination within these procedures must be eliminated,” said Claire Mallinson.

Amnesty International is also calling for domestic law to be altered, in line with Australia’s obligations under the Convention, so that entrenched protection against discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin becomes a reality.

“It’s up to all of our political leaders to make sure their policies comply with the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination,” said Claire Mallinson.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s Concluding Observations are expected to be released shortly after the meeting in Geneva.