Linda Hill
14 September 2007, 03:33PM

Mr Howard,
Have you ever actually spent any time with any Indigenous people at their level in their communities???  Have you ever actually experienced first hand the trauma and the heartache that abounds in those communities??  I have.  My child was sexually molested in a small town community, and I am not an Indigenous person, my child is.  Nothing at all was done by the law.  I was forced out of town with my family.  This has been happening for ever and nothing at all has been done.  Congratulations on making a ‘swoop’ into the Communities but where is the ‘Sorry’ ????  About time all Australian peoples lived in harmony.  Nine of my grandchildren are Indigenous and I would like to think the future will be better for them but they do not have much to look forward to in the way that racism is still alive and flourishing out in the suburbs.  Have you been mingling with the ordinary people Mr Howard??? Have you heard the cries for help, Mr Howard????

Brendan Joyce
14 September 2007, 03:16PM

Kindly support the declaration on the RIghts of Indigenous Peoples.  It’s the least Australia can do.

catherine joyce
14 September 2007, 02:44PM

Everyone deserves respect, how dare we deny Indigenous peoples of this basic human right.

Luke Holmes
14 September 2007, 02:02PM

The indigenous people are the original inhabitancies of the land and the wisdom of the land.
Listening and respecting their knowledge could save your own soul.

Luke Holmes
14 September 2007, 02:00PM

The indiginous people are the original inhabitance of the land and the wisdom of the land.
Listening and respecting their knowledge could save your own soul.

Phil
14 September 2007, 12:13PM

The recent intervention into the remote indigenous communities to deal with child abuse is just another denial of the basic human rights.

If they think they need to take away peoples human rights to implement the program, then they need to find another way to deal with the issue.

Like anyone else I’m very concerned about the child abuse that is going on but the point is, other people from the general community are not treated like the way the indigenous are to be treated. Fundamentally they have been marginalized even further.

I couldn’t be supportive for the Declaration of the Indigenous Peoples, human rights should be an easy process but it’s becoming ever more clear that a number of the world leaders don’t want to adopt the fundamental process

I just want to take the time to thank all those who have left a comment, individually we maybe a little voice but collectively we become quite loud.

Take care :)

alice
14 September 2007, 10:59AM

This new decleration on the Rights of Indigenous People is an important step towards bringing about equality. We are told that everyone in Australia is given the infamous ‘fair go’, that everyone is treated equally and has equal oppertunities, this is not true.  This declaration is intended to set a normative standard of rights for indigenouse people the world over and to offer avenues of self determination and empowerment. If the Australian government is sincere about righting the imbalances between Aboriginal Australians and white Australians then the government should support the Declaration. In a country like Australia that does not have a bill of rights protecting the rights of citizens, we need other avenues of protection, this declaration offers that to some of the most marginalised people in this county. As a voting member of the public i urgue the government to endorse this Declaration in good faith.

Beryl Ford
14 September 2007, 10:47AM

The wealth of the countries PM Howard and Harper govern is built on the taking of land and its resources from indigenous people. More than that we took their freedom and now treat them as second class citizens. As beneficiaries we owe them, as human beings we need to recognise indigenous people are equal to us.

We have a lot to learn from indigenous cultures, to embrace their knowledge will only enrich our own.

Ashleigh
14 September 2007, 10:43AM

About bloody time! As a student, I’ve heard about the injustices, like many, and I think it’s about time these leaders removed their heads from their bumbs, stopped with the rhetoric of “We’re doing this, this and this to help” and actually ratified something like this that would help! Indigenous People are just as human as white people. All that is different is our skin colour, and that’s only about 10 of the genes. There are no differences except those projected by people like John Howard. They deserve to have these rights.

Peter Sainsbury
14 September 2007, 09:37AM

Symbolically and practically it is essential that Australia supports this.

Phillipa Rooke
14 September 2007, 08:56AM

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples surely must have no opposition from countries which call themselves ‘civilised’.  Isn’t it about time that governments put people first and put into place special considerations for those in greatest need.

Matthew Osborn
14 September 2007, 01:18AM

Please support this and help stop the awful, racist treatment of Indigenous peoples, especially in Australia where it is so prevalent.

Mike Millar
14 September 2007, 12:50AM

A last chance for the Howard Government to do something of lasting value for practical reconciliation. Do not allow another opportunity to serve justice slip away with the dying days of your Government.

Dan Musil
13 September 2007, 11:50PM

If the injustices of the past and the continued marginalisation of Indigenous People are not acknowleged and addressed, we are ALL worse off and (white) Australia remains a racist country.

Franklin Bruinstroop
13 September 2007, 11:31PM

Prime Ministers Howard & Harper,
Please remember that your as leaders of your countries, you have a national steward roles for the well-being of all people in your countries. Acknowledging the rights if the indigenous people of your countries therough supporting this decalration is a start to fulfilling that role.

Noel Waterman
13 September 2007, 10:43PM

The Light shines in the darkness; please try to understand, John. Fight greed and injustice.

Rosemary Drabsch
13 September 2007, 09:39PM

It’s well past time that our Indigenous peoples are recognised for their custodianship of our country. Where is our Federal government’s conscience?

Helen
13 September 2007, 09:25PM

Dear John,
I do appreciate why you are reticent to sign the Declaration. It offers Australian indigenous people the right to be different; to be culturally diverse.  This doesn’t accord with the homogeneous Australian “mate” you so ardently promulgate.  But imagine what could be achieved if a group of people were granted the right to contribute to the management of their own lives, culture and education. Goodness, they may even feel they have a genuine stake.  Now, wouldn’t that be less of a headache than medical inspections and police surveillance?  Allow our indigenous population to live a life where they fully participate in community decisions and in their own self-determination.  As you have found in your own life, this is quite an empowering process.  Consider sharing the power with all of the people of Australia - those you claim to serve so diligently.  Serve them well, respect their cultures and sign the Declaration.  Australia is ready to take responsibilty at last.

Mark G Whitty
13 September 2007, 09:23PM

Howard the gnome is a slimy little grub and a such a liar he is probably a Gemini. He hates the brothers. and will never apologise to them for bad treatment that their race received from cattle barons and religious queers on missions. The little grub is boasting of selling 3.5 Billion worth of gas to the chinese. Price? 4.7 cents a litre! I pay 75 cents a litre for LPG for my car!

geoff mcmillan
13 September 2007, 09:14PM

Mr Howard, it is time to lead our nation- all of us together
Don’t let your legacy be the death of “the fair go”