WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)
WGAR website: http://wgar.info/
Contents:
More media responses to James Anaya's statement and press conference
Call to Aboriginal nations, from across the Territory, to unite
More media responses to proposed national Indigenous body
Intervention Walk-off
MORE MEDIA RESPONSES TO JAMES ANAYA'S STATEMENT AND PRESS CONFERENCE:
- Background
WGAR News:
UN Expert visits Australia to report on Aboriginal Human Rights (18 Aug 09)
http://perth.indymedia.org/index.php?action=newswire&parentview=145907
WGAR News:
UN Expert James Anaya to examine NT Intervention (19 Aug 09)
http://perth.indymedia.org/index.php?action=newswire&parentview=145947
WGAR News:
UN Rapporteur visits Aboriginal communities (23 Aug 09)
http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/23/wgar-news-un-rapporteur-visits-aborig...
WGAR News:
Visit by UN Expert, James Anaya (26 Aug 09)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/26/wgar-news-intervention-walk-off-commu...
WGAR News:
UN Expert calls NT Intervention "discriminatory" (29 Aug 09)
http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/29/wgar-news-un-expert-calls-nt-interven...
- Audio recording of James Anaya's statement and press conference of 27 Aug 09
WGAR: UN Special Rapporteur James Anaya Speaks at National Library Australia 27/08/2009
http://wgar.info/2009/08/30/un-special-rapporteur-james-anaya-speaks-at-...
- Text of James Anaya's statement of 27 Aug 09
http://www.un.org.au/files/files/Press%20Release%20-%20Australia%20JA%20...
- Media Releases
PM Rudd urged to accept UN criticism of ‘racist’ NT Intervention
[download document] http://www.socialpolicyconnections.com.au/Portals/3/docs/Anaya%20media%2...
30 Aug 09: "Church leaders and other concerned Australians today called on the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to demonstrate his Government’s support for the United Nations role in protecting human rights by accepting its criticism of the Northern Territory Intervention as ‘racist’ and in need of significant reform. The criticisms were made by Prof. James Anaya, the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Human Rights, who left Australia today after an eleven day tour which gave considerable focus to the Intervention in the Northern Territory and resulted in his declaring it racist. His time spent in the Northern Territory included visits to the Aboriginal communities of Alice Springs, Yuendumu, Darwin, Yirrkala, Ramangirr, Groote Eylandt and Bagot providing the Rapporteur with opportunities to sit with, and listen to the concerns of, local peoples and their elders."
Greens: UN Special Rapporteur vindicates Greens opposition to NTER
http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/un-special-rapporteur-vind...
28 Aug 09: "The Australian Greens were not surprised by comments from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Indigenous rights condemning the discriminatory and paternalistic elements of the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER), claiming they affirmed the Greens strong opposition to the introduction of these measures. "I met with Professor Anaya during his visit to Australia and was impressed by the thoughtful way he engaged with issues concerning the rights of indigenous Australians. I am not the least bit surprised by his comments and findings," said Australian Greens indigenous spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert."
ANTaR: Indigenous rights organisation welcomes UN report on Northern Territory
http://www.antar.org.au/media/ANTaR-welcomes-UN-report
28 Aug 09: "The report on the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) by UN Special Rapporteur Professor James Anaya has been welcomed by ANTaR, ... ANTaR supports Professor Anaya’s moderate and measured approach and agrees with Anaya’s criticism of the Australian Government’s NTER, which “overtly discriminates against Aboriginal peoples, infringing their right of self-determination and stigmatizes already stigmatized communities”."
- News
Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources:
Australia Can Do More To Improve Situation Of Indigenous Peoples – UN Expert
http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...
27 Aug 09: "Despite strides in improving the situation of indigenous people in Australia, an independent United Nations expert today called on the country to build on that momentum to close the gap of “indigenous disadvantage.” ... The Rapporteur, who reports to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, serves in his role in an unpaid and independent capacity."
Fiji Daily Post Editorial: Respect is a two - way street
http://fijidailypost.com/editorial.php?date=20090829
29 Aug 09: "Pacific peoples would take more note of Australia’s moral leadership in the region if they could see and sense more consistency in that great neighbour’s dealing with its own indigenous people. A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on indigenous human rights, Professor James Anaya, has castigated Australia’s treatment of its Aboriginal people."
NZ Herald: Treatment of Aborigines is abusive - UN
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=1059389...
29 Aug 09: "The continuing federal intervention in the Northern Territory's Aboriginal communities has been criticised by the United Nations' special rapporteur on indigenous human rights and freedoms. Professor James Anaya said the intervention breached basic human rights and was incompatible with international treaties ratified by Australia."
SMH: UN finds ray of hope in 'racist' Australia
http://www.smh.com.au/national/un-finds-ray-of-hope-in-racist-australia-...
29 Aug 09: "AN ELDERLY Yuendumu woman yesterday went about her business, unaware she had moved a United Nations official to condemn as ''overtly racist'' Australia's treatment of indigenous people. The memory of Peggy Brown's extraordinary success in stamping out petrol sniffing in her community on the edge of the Tanami Desert weighed heavy on the mind of the UN's special rapporteur ... " Yuko Narushima
Australian: Jenny Macklin defends Northern Territory intervention
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25996774-5013871,00.html
29 Aug 09: "PROTECTING the rights of Aboriginal children, women and the elderly are the most important human rights, Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has declared, brushing aside criticism of the Northern Territory intervention by a UN special delegate on indigenous rights."
Koori Mail: Amnesty: Govt must address criticism
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
28 Aug 09: "AMNESTY International has backed United Nations calls for an immediate end to discriminatory practices under the NT intervention. Amnesty's Indigenous Rights Campaigner Rodney Dillon says reinstating the Racial Discrimination Act and ending intervention measures such as blanket welfare quarantining must now be a top priority for the Federal Government."
chanthy96.com [Cambodia]: Gov’t intervention in Australian aboriginal groups worrisome: UN rapporteur
http://www.chanthy96.com/govt-intervention-in-australian-aboriginal-grou...
"The United Nations special rapporteur on indigenous rights said here Thursday the intervention into remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory in Australia is discriminatory."
National Post [Canada]: UN condemns Australia's policy on Aboriginals as discriminatory
http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=1939031
28 Aug 09: "A United Nations envoy slammed Australia's military-led intervention in remote Aboriginal communities and said racism was "entrenched" in the country, in a damning assessment yesterday."
National Indigenous Times:
NT intervention is not discriminatory: Macklin
http://www.nit.com.au/breakingNews/story.aspx?id=18511
28 Aug 09: "Protecting the most vulnerable members of the Northern Territory's Indigenous communities must be balanced against other human rights, says Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin. In Melbourne to launch the Essendon Football Club Reconciliation Action Plan, Ms Macklin told reporters she will not be swayed by criticism that the Northern Territory intervention is discriminatory."
Bangkok Post [Thailand]: Australia defends 'discriminatory' Aboriginal plan
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/152919/australia-defends-discrimina...
28 Aug 09: "Australia on Friday defended its controversial "intervention" in remote Aboriginal communities after a UN representative said it discriminated against the impoverished ethnic group."
Gulf News: Government defends restrictions on Aborigines
http://archive.gulfnews.com/world/Australia/10344398.html
28 Aug 09: "Australia's government defended yesterday a programme aimed at stamping out child sex abuse among Aborigines after a United Nations expert said the radical restrictions it imposed on minority communities amounted to human rights violations."
China Human Rights: Australian state gov't defends 'racist' intervention
http://www.chinahumanrights.org/Messages/World/t20090830_487460.htm
28 Aug 09: "Australia's Northern Territory (NT) government on Friday rejected claims that it is failing people in remote Aboriginal communities despite criticisms of the intervention policy by a United Nations (UN) expert. The UN's special rapporteur on indigenous rights, James Anaya, on Thursday described the controversial measures as "overtly discriminatory"."
ABC Radio Australia: UN rights expert criticises 'racist' Australia
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200908/2669514.htm?desktop
28 Aug 09: "Former ministers in a government that introduced a controversial "intervention" into Aboriginal settlements in Australia have rejected criticism by the United Nations. A visiting UN human rights expert says the measures are overtly racist. Measures include compulsory income management and direct government control of Aboriginal land and housing."
ABC: Intervention report 'should be binned'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/28/2670343.htm
28 Aug 09: "High-profile Aboriginal leader Warren Mundine says yesterday's finding by a United Nations representative that the Northern Territory intervention was overtly racist is bizarre and should be chucked in the bin."
SMH: Macklin, Libs defend NT intervention
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/macklin-libs-defend-nt-int...
28 Aug 09: "United Nations special rapporteur James Anaya's criticism of the Northern Territory intervention showed he was a nonsense-spouting armchair critic prepared to pontificate on human rights while indigenous children lived in squalor, past and present Liberal MPs say."
News Times [India]: UN says racism entrenched in Australia
http://newstimes.in/world-news/un-says-racism-entrenched-in-australia/
27 Aug 09: "THE United Nations special rapporteur on indigenous rights has said there is “entrenched” racism in Australia."
[This news item also posted on four other websites from India]
Koori Mail: Bad rap for NT Intervention
[scroll down page] http://www.koorimail.com/index.php
27 Aug 09: "THE NT intervention is discriminatory, disproportionate and breaches Australia's international obligations, according to UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous human rights James Anaya. After touring Aboriginal communities, Mr Anaya said the Australian Government should reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act in the NT 'right away', and review all its legislation, policies, and programmes affecting Indigenous Australians."
- Opinion
Public Opinion: UN judgment on NT intervention
http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2009/08/un-judgment-on.php
31 Aug 09: "James Anaya, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, visited Australia between 17 to 28 August. ... Anaya's judgement was forthright. He points his finger on indigenous people having endured tremendous suffering at the hands of historical forces and entrenched racism and the way that these historical forces continue to make their presence known today, ... "
Dinkum Democrats: Abbott, Brough and Macklin know racism and squalor better than UN Rapporteur James Anaya. Really!
http://www.dinkumdemocrats.com/abbott-brough-and-macklin-know-racism-and...
31 Aug 09: "The diversionary rhetoric used by Brough and Macklin implies that to criticise the Intervention is to condone the sexual abuse of children and the squalid living conditions of indigenous Australians. ... Implicit in these comments, too, is the notion that Professor Anaya knows nothing, should say nothing unless he can say something nice, and that the UN should keep its nose out of our business …"
Woolly Days: Australian politicians and media show no interest in learning UN lessons on Indigenous affairs
http://nebuchadnezzarwoollyd.blogspot.com/2009/08/australian-politicians...
30 Aug 09: "Australian politicians and media have adopted a typically hostile and defensive pose in response to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' considered statement on Indigenous issues released on Thursday. The hostility was uncalled for." Derek Barry
slackbastard: Warren Mundine ~versus~ James Anaya
http://slackbastard.anarchobase.com/?p=6610
29 Aug 09: "Mundine has stated that Anaya’s reportage should be regarded in the same manner as all reports produced by United Nations Special Rapporteurs: “I think this Rapporteur’s report should be dealt with the same as every other Rapporteur’s report; just drop it in the bin and actually get on with the job.” ... given Mundine’s commitments to the ALP, his reaction is entirely predictable, ... "
Daily Telegraph Piers Akerman Blog: Right to a future free of UN meddling
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/piersakerman/index.php/dailytele...
29 Aug 09: "AUSTRALIANS should be grateful to United Nations special rapporteur on indigenous human rights James Anaya for the totally unrealistic picture he has painted of Australia’s Aborigines." Piers Akerman
Associated Press: Australia debates whether Aboriginal policy racist
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i8ZESAVTztWWj05AXc1Iyv...
28 Aug 09: "A U.N. expert's harsh criticism of Australia's Aboriginal policy reopened a national debate Friday on a decades-old issue: how best to help the country's original settlers and most disadvantaged minority." Kristen Gelineau
- Radio
CAAMA Radio AM News
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association):
http://caama.com.au/radio/caama-radio-am-news-310809/
31 Aug 09: "Warren Mundine says findings by a UN Representative that the NT intervention was overtly racist should be chucked in the bin."
CAAMA News am-28-08-09
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association):
[scroll down page] http://caama.com.au/category/radio/
28 Aug 09: "* Mal Brough criticises U.N. * U.N. says aspects of Intervention are racist."
ABC PM: UN's claims that NT intervention is overtly racist are widely condemned
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2009/s2670233.htm
28 Aug 09: "There's been a barrage of criticism today for yesterday's finding by a UN representative that the Northern Territory intervention was overtly racist. The UN's Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Human Rights gave a damning assessment of the intervention, saying it discriminated against Aboriginal people. But both the Federal Government and Opposition have now rejected the findings. ... "
[includes comments by Jenny Macklin, Tony Abbott, Mal Brough, Rachael Siewert and Warren Mundine]
CAAMA Radio afternoon news
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association):
http://caama.com.au/radio/caama-radio-afternoon-news-27th-of-august-2009/
27 Aug 09: "* Federal Intervention claimed as racist by the U.N. * A Kamilaro elder says the Government is covering up the U.N. visit to Australia"
- Video
ABC Lateline: NT intervention discriminatory: UN Rapporteur
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2670434.htm
28 Aug 09: "It's a diplomatic slap on the wrist and it's been met with a diplomatic brush-off. A United Nations Rapporteur has found the Northern Territory Intervention is discriminatory and breaches Australia's international obligations. But the Federal Government says it has other priorities."
[includes comments by James Anaya, Kim Hill, Jenny Macklin and Delia Lawrie]
CALL TO ABORIGINAL NATIONS, FROM ACROSS THE TERRITORY, TO UNITE:
- Media Release
The First Australians call for an end to oppression
http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/media-releases/
27 Aug 09: "Aboriginal people are standing up and calling on all the leaders from all the Aboriginal nations, to stand united against oppression and dictatorship. ... This is a very significant day…on this day, Richard Downs, community elders and members from Ampilatwatja, and Rosalie Kunoth-Monks met with Alison Anderson, Independent member for Macdonnell. A resolution was made to call together the Aboriginal nations, from across the Territory, to unite under one banner to stand up against the absolute racist oppression, forced assimilation and attempts to destroy Aboriginal people being caused by the intervention measures."
MORE MEDIA RESPONSES TO PROPOSED NATIONAL INDIGENOUS BODY:
- Background
WGAR News:
Proposed national Indigenous body (29 Aug 09)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/29/wgar-news-un-expert-calls-nt-interven...
- Media Release
Greens: National Indigenous Representative Body a step in the right direction
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/national-in...
28 Aug 09: "The Greens today welcomed the release of the proposed model for a national Indigenous representative by the Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma. ... [Senator Rachel Siewert said] "Certainly the idea of ensuring the body is independent from Government is essential. ... However, a national consultative body, with no real decision making authority or access to resources is a long way from the principles of self-determination as advocated by the United Nations declaration of Indigenous rights," "
- Radio
CAAMA Radio afternoon news
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association):
http://caama.com.au/radio/caama-radio-afternoon-news-26th-of-august-2009/
26 Aug 09: "A new Aboriginal representative body reportedly may have flaws"
- News
ABC: Remove government shackles, former ATSIC leader says
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/29/2670531.htm?site=news
29 Aug 09: "A former ATSIC leader says any national indigenous organisation needs to be removed from government control and funding. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma has proposed a new Indigenous body would be set up as a company and include a 128-member council. But Ray Robinson has warned Indigenous people to carefully study the proposal before supporting it."
Australian: 'Spare us a wailing wall': Noel Pearson
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25996771-2702,00.html
29 Aug 09: "THE national Aboriginal representative body proposed by Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma would not tackle the real crises in Aboriginal affairs, and would be little more than "a blackfellows' wailing wall"."
ABC: Independent Indigenous body 'won't suffer ATSIC fate'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/28/2669740.htm?site=news
28 Aug 09: "Brewarrina-based Aboriginal leader Sam Jeffries says a new national Indigenous representative body will be protected from the same fate as ATSIC if it is independent of Government."
ABC: Abbott pans planned Aboriginal body
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/28/2669512.htm?site=news
28 Aug 09: "Opposition Indigenous affairs spokesman, Tony Abbott, has panned the new proposal for an Indigenous representative body as being a blend of "the worst features" of previous Aboriginal organisations."
- Opinion
Australian: Calma approach proves too timid
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25995487-7583,00.html
29 Aug 09: "Calma's model for indigenous Australian representation is a tragically wrong-headed outcome of what was clearly a hopeful exercise involving many indigenous people earnestly trying to find a way to a better future." Noel Pearson
INTERVENTION WALK-OFF:
- Background
Intervention walkoff's Blog
http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/
WGAR News:
Intervention Walk-off community seeks UN support (26 Aug 09)
http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/26/wgar-news-intervention-walk-off-commu...
WGAR News:
Alyawarra people seek UN refugee status (29 Aug 09)
[scroll down page] http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/29/wgar-news-un-expert-calls-nt-interven...
- News
Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources:
Alyawarra People Ask United Nations For Refugee Status
http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=art...
"A GROUP of Australian Aborigines has asked the United Nations for refugee status, claiming special emergency laws to curb alcohol and sexual abuse in the remote outback have turned them into outcasts at home. Richard Downs, a spokesperson for the 4000-strong Alyawarra people in central Australia, said the request was given to James Anaya, the United Nations special rapporteur on indigenous human rights, during a fact-finding tour to Australia."
- Radio
CAAMA Radio morning news
(Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association):
http://caama.com.au/radio/caama-radio-morning-news-26th-of-august-2009/
26 Aug 09: "A N.T. Aboriginal community is claiming refugee status."
- Photos
Intervention walkoff's Blog: Photos
http://interventionwalkoff.wordpress.com/photos/
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)