Open Letter to Prime Minister Howard and Prime Minister Harper
The Honourable John Howard MP
Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Canada
Dear Prime Minister Howard and Prime Minister Harper,
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:
It is time for Canada and Australia to end the opposition
This week the United Nations is set to take a long overdue step when it votes on the adoption of a new Declaration recognising the fundamental rights of Indigenous peoples. Amnesty International members throughout Australia and Canada call on you to make it clear that your governments are prepared to join the world in supporting its adoption.
In Australia, in Canada and around the world, Indigenous peoples are universally among the most marginalised and persecuted people on the planet. There is no question that concerted international attention is needed if these grave abuses are to be addressed. The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will be central to these efforts.
It has taken more than two decades to get this far. In June 2006, the first major hurdle was cleared when the new UN Human Rights Council adopted the Declaration. However, Australia and Canada joined forces with other governments and were instrumental in later blocking its adoption at the UN General Assembly.
Today an overwhelming majority of the world's nations have indicated they support the Declaration and are prepared to vote for its adoption. At long last there may be an international human rights instrument which delivers minimum human rights standards for Indigenous peoples. Canada and Australia should be among the global champions of this Declaration.
At this significant point in history, it is our hope and expectation that your governments will no longer stand in opposition to the Declaration. Indigenous peoples need your support, and certainly deserve no less.
Interim National Director
Amnesty International Australia
Beatrice Vaugrante
Amnesty International Canada
Comments
Dallas Marshall | Posted on 13 September 2007, 02:21PM | Report comment
Come on John Howard. Get real and understand that there are people living in this country who have been, and still are, denied their right to have a fair say in the way that there lives are run. Recognition of the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights should have been supported by Australia. Don’t make this another Kyoto type issue, give the Indigenous people better access to Health, Education and other basic things that are taken for granted by those of us living in concrete jungles. And Especially those who reside in the Nation’s capital and espouse how good things are nowadays for indigenous Australians, but continue to deny them their basic RIGHTS. Shame!! Shame!! Shame!!!
Wayne Evans | Posted on 13 September 2007, 01:15PM | Report comment
The Howard Government has been practising Aparethied for years. Spatial Management Data is being altered. Aboriginal history and place names are being changed. New laws governing Aboriginal Lands Councils are about to be implemented - they will allow Aboriginal people from other areas to sit on Local Lands Councils. They are being brought (or bought) in to comply with development proposals for Crown Reserves.
Proposals that will not be open to public perusal and challenge.
The abuse of human rights in the Northern Territory under the pretext of a caring Prime Minister trying to stop child abuse is a REVOLTING SHAME.
Aboriginal Land Use Agreements are all about mining rights and now the Macquarie Bank is looking to launder Crown Reserves through local Lands Councils.
Removing John Howard from office should be the first priority of all Australians and the second should be to expose these “blue-eyed” frauds posing as friends of Indigenous people.
Hang Tran | Posted on 13 September 2007, 01:12PM | Report comment
Indigenous rights are everyones responsibility. It is time the current government listen to the Indigenous community Elders and actually find out what’s going to work and not assume. What happened to a ‘Fair go for all’? I support the declaration but wish to see change occur soon to end the mistreatment of our citizens.
Sally Gray | Posted on 13 September 2007, 01:05PM | Report comment
It is appalling and disgraceful that Australia [yet again] falls short of looking after it’s own [Kyoto and now this]. The Howard Government says it wants to help our indigenous people, so what’s the problem with signing this declaraion? DO IT NOW! There are no “ifs and buts” - what you do to others, you do to yourself. Forget about money and profits, this is a human issue and it affects us all.
Frank Hutchinson | Posted on 13 September 2007, 12:58PM | Report comment
I find it greatly disturbing that the current Australian government is opposing the Declaration on the rights of Indigenous peoples.We need to look honestly at our past history and to build a better future.If Australia were to support the Declaration, it would provide a clear indication of a genuine concern to work for meaningful reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Unfortunately,our current leadership shows a lack of foresight, compassion and wisdom on these matters.Let’s hope that there is either a change of mind in relation to Australia’s current position on the Declaration, or a change of government.What is needed now is leadership that is able to much better demonstrate our credentials on human rights matters and as a good international citizen.
narda h Mahanga | Posted on 13 September 2007, 12:54PM | Report comment
We are all human beings aren’t we? Why do so-called ‘civilised, progressive nations’ ie, usually the rich nations in the form of their governments, so want to deny minority peoples the rights they themselves would be screaming to assert if their positions were reversed in some way? Human cupidity is a continuing factor throughout, and obscene - I am rescued from complete dispair through the actions of the many decent people around the world who speak up to make their protests heard, and/or who make their protests meaningful in other ways. I, who am less than a number in the general scheme of things, thank them all, and in the same breath ask that the Governments of Australia and Canada, and others who have opposed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, remove their opposition forthwith. Thank you.
Peter Bean | Posted on 13 September 2007, 12:48PM | Report comment
instead of worrying about your party and your reputation, take some action that will enhance your reputation. Come on, make use of your time left in office
Kath | Posted on 13 September 2007, 12:47PM | Report comment
A absolute must in the move towards global recognition of the reality experienced by indigenous peoples and the need for change. Let this be one of many steps.
Patrick McGee | Posted on 13 September 2007, 12:34PM | Report comment
Mr Howard,
I remain highly concerned about the impact your governments attitudes and policeis have on Indigenous Australians. On the one hand you wish to protect Indigenous women and children from alcohol abuse and sexual abuse yet you prevent the signing of international treaties on the rights of Indigenous peoples which would enhance international law to assist in the very types of protections you say you want and are the right of Indigenous peoples. It just doesn’t make sense - again. Get on with it!!
irene gabriele | Posted on 13 September 2007, 12:01PM | Report comment
Make the adoption of this declaration a must
before you leave office Mr. Howard.
David Bradford | Posted on 13 September 2007, 12:00PM | Report comment
Of course it’s a No Brainer!! Indigenious people ARE citizens and have an equal right to protection from their governments as the ‘wider community’. In fact judged by the inequalities and abuses of the past they have MORE right (or at least a right to expect that all governments in this country will do their absolute best to remedy the past and bring them up to true equality)
Robert Bean | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:58AM | Report comment
Such a declaration is long overdue, but it must be supported by resources and action to address the issues of privilege and power that create and perpetuate disadvantage for Indigenous peoples.
Aileen | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:50AM | Report comment
I fully support the letter above and believe it’s about time to end the shameful mistreatment of the aboriginal people of Australia.
Sue | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:44AM | Report comment
This is not a change of mind issue. This is an issue of deep rooted emotion within the Australian people and government. Just like saying “Sorry”. Nobody wants to be the one to stand up and be proud of making a decision that will impact the whole of Australia, and possible the whole of the world. Let’s set an example! It’s not about who is responsible. It’s not about why they are responsible. It’s not about what they are they responsible for. All of this, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that the government look at the mistakes of our past and move in a direction that allows us all to live in peace, as a one people. Not colour, not breed, not language. Just one people. And then we can live in the future…. not the past.
Ken Barrett | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:42AM | Report comment
I don’t agree it’s a No Brainer. Governments have to be able to protect their citizens, at least on their own territory, and maintain the support of the wider community while doing so.
Sonia Krivacic | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:42AM | Report comment
‘Indigenous people’ ... the word ‘people’ is the key here ... why ‘minimum’ rights only? They should have what any other person on the planet is worthy of… dignity, a right to food / shelter / clothing, a right to work, a right to be heard… It’s this last one that we keep blocking out. Our aboriginals are generally quiet culturally, so it’s therefore MORE important that we speak LOUD and CLEAR. It is a disgrace that a rich country like Australia can put-up with the state of our Aboriginal communities. Listen to them. Learn their culture if that’s what it takes. Give them what was taken away.
Ben Parangi | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:34AM | Report comment
I agree, it is absolutely a No Brainer. Until Australia and Canada step up to the plate, there can be no moving forward with our indigenous peoples.
Wendy Flannery | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:29AM | Report comment
We are led to believe that acknowledging Indigenous peoples’ rights will deprive others of their rights, e.g., the right of mining corporations to have free access to all prospective sites. What the persistence and resilience of Indigenous peoples’ and their cultures help us to recognise is that there is more to life than gross materialism and exploitation of the earth. Recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights is therefore good for all of us!
sieiar | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:28AM | Report comment
All Australians are equal.
teddy | Posted on 13 September 2007, 11:21AM | Report comment
This is probably the most important issue faced by Australians. We must help this Declaration through. It’s time for the majority to stand up and be counted.