Last updated: 25 July 2012
Background: Calls for 'Stronger Futures' laws to be subject to Human Rights scrutiny
Main Contents Page:
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/07/07/background-calls-for-stronger-futures...
MEDIA RELEASES, LETTERS, STATEMENTS CALLING FOR 'STRONGER FUTURES' HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLIANCE
Amnesty International Australia: Resolutions passed at our 2012 National Annual General Meeting
http://www.amnesty.org.au/about/comments/29309
25 Jul 12: "Resolution 3:
NAGM 2012:
* Expresses outrage that the Stronger Futures legislation has been passed without free, prior and informed consent of the affected Indigenous communities.
* Is gravely concerned that the Stronger Futures legislation may not comply with Australia's human rights obligations.
* Voices its support for the Indigenous groups and organisations that have made statements critical of the Stronger Futures legislation. ... "
Leaders outraged as Indigenous issues sidelined by Prime Minister
Stand For Freedom: http://standforfreedom.org.au/2012/07/23/leaders-outraged-as-indigenous-...
STICS: http://stoptheintervention.org/facts/press-releases/leaders-outraged-as-...
23 Jul 12: "Indigenous leaders and human rights groups are outraged that their question to the Prime Minister concerning the human rights validity of the recently passed Stronger Futures legislation was not asked, despite it being in 4th place in last Saturday’s Google Hangout with the Prime Minister.
The question, posted by Stand For Freedom director Damien Curtis, received 9000 votes in just 4 days, making it one of the fastest growing and most successful questions in the online competition. It finished in 4th place, ahead of the carbon tax questions heavily lobbied for by commentator Andrew Bolt.
However, those supporting the question were bitterly disappointed when, out of a total of 17 questions put to the Prime Minister, their question did not appear, even though a pre-recorded Youtube video had been submitted of Aboriginal leader Barbara Shaw asking the question.
Along with the winning top 3, the other questions asked included 5th, 6th, 8th and 13th positions, 8 unlisted questions, and bizarrely 52nd and 88th positions (with 100 votes between them). ... "
Respect and Listen: Human Rights Review
Requests for Stronger Futures to be scrutinized for Human Rights compliance
David Selden - 18 July 2012 - Letter to Jenny Macklin
http://www.respectandlisten.org/nt-intervention/human-rights-review.html
18 Jul 12: "It is noted that the so-called 'Stronger Futures' Legislation was passed by Parliament without any justification. ... you [Ms Macklin] stated that there had been meaningful consultation with Aboriginal communities in the 'prescribed areas' and that the legislation is compliant with domestic and international law. However, you did not provide any details in support of these claims. ..." For more, see National Indigenous Times, 18 July 12, Issue 273, Vol. 11, page 34 - www.nit.com.au "
Sisters of Saint Joseph: Younger Sisters Voice their Solidarity
http://www.sosj.org.au/news-events/view_article.cfm?id=897&loadref=7
9 Jul 12: "The Under 60 year old Sisters of Saint Joseph from Peru, Brazil, New Zealand and Australia, many of whom live, work and are in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, came together in Sydney last week to network and celebrate life together. ... With Northern Territory Elders and the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples we call on the Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin to allow the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights to examine all control measures proposed in the Stronger Futures Bill."
ACM Sydney: A sad day for democracy but the fight will continue
http://acmsydney.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/a-sad-day-for-democracy-but-th...
29 Jun 12: "Graeme Mundine, Executive Director of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney Archdiocese, has lamented the Senate’s passing of the Stronger Futures Legislation on Thursday evening. "This is a sad day for all Aboriginal people in Australia and it is a sad day for democracy," Mr Mundine said. ... "We may have lost this battle, but we will continue to seek justice. Even if our domestic law and Parliamentary process fails to protect us Australia has obligations under International Law and is signatory to several human rights conventions. We must hold our Government accountable to those Conventions. We have been fighting for our rights for over 200 years and we will continue to fight for our rights for however long it takes," Mr Mundine concluded."
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Congress Statement: Passage of the Stronger Futures Bills
http://nationalcongress.com.au/congress-statement-passage-of-the-stronge...
29 Jun 12: "Congress says that even though the laws to continue the Northern Territory Intervention have passed they still should be examined by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
While we are disappointed at the outcome, we will ensure Aboriginal people are aware of the available complaints mechanisms, if needed. ...
We will continue consult our members about the next steps and continue to keep Government accountable on delivery of services and funding in the Northern Territory."
Amnesty International Australia: Stronger Futures puts shame to Australia’s human rights record
http://www.amnesty.org.au/news/comments/29107/?utm_source=news&utm_mediu...
29 Jun 12: "The passing of the Stronger Futures Bills today represents the Government's blatant disregard for its human rights obligations, Amnesty International has said. The organisation has condemned the legislation package passed by the Senate as a failure to meet international human rights standards, and the continued disempowerment of Aboriginal Peoples in the Northern Territory. ... "By not subjecting the Bills to scrutiny under the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, the Government has missed its opportunity to respect the rights of Aboriginal Peoples in the NT, leaving the people who will bear the brunt of these policies under continued Government control for the next decade," said Monica Morgan."
Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney: Aboriginal Heartache as Govt Extends Intervention for 10 more Years
http://www.sydneycatholic.org/news/latest_news/2012/2012629_1905.shtml
29 Jun 12: "Two weeks ago, Geneva-based Dr Olav Fyske Tvelt, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches wrote to Prime Minister Julia Gillard to urge her not to pursue the Government's Interventionist policy. For the second time in as many years he asked her and her Government to ensure all policies affecting Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders comply with international conventions, and in particular the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Labour Organisation's Covenant 169."
'concerned Australians': Stronger Futures or human rights: will FAHCSIA remain closed?
Faith Doing Justice: http://www.faithdoingjustice.com.au/docs/2012/06/FDJStronger22Jun12.pdf
22 Jun 12: "The National Congress of Australia's First Peoples has requested the proposed Stronger Futures legislation package be examined by the newly created Parliamentary Joint committee on Human Rights.
Harry Jenkins MP, former speaker of the House and Chair of the committee on Human Rights described the role of the committee, "to examine and report to Parliament on the compatibility of bills and legislative instruments with Austrlalia's human rights obligations under seven core human rights treaties specified in section three of the Act. The committee is able to examine existing legislation and conduct broad inquiries into matters relating to human rights as referred to it by the Attorney-General."
Two days ago Mr Jenkins advised the Parliament the "... committee would like to afford the Minister [Jenny Macklin] the opportunity to provide her assessment of the policy objectives of the [Stronger Futures] bills against Australia's human rights obligations and clarify for the committee the justification for any limitations on rights that the bills will impose." ... "
WGAR considers Stronger Futures legislation should face Human Rights scrutiny
WGAR: http://wgar.wordpress.com/2012/06/23/120622-working-group-for-aboriginal...
Indymedia Australia: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/06/22/wgar-considers-stronger-futures-legis...
22 Jun 12: " ... The Working Group for Aboriginal Rights condemns the Northern Territory (NT) Intervention and its proposed extension for ten years and expansion into other parts of Australia, through the proposed 'Stronger Futures' legislation.
The Working Group for Aboriginal Rights urges the Australian government to fully accept and respect the sovereign rights of Aboriginal Nations and Peoples and to cease their paternalistic actions towards Aboriginal people, who have successfully survived climatic and social change over millennia. Aboriginal people are capable of running their own lives and communities, but it is the lack of self-determination and the governments’ ruthless attempts to assimilate Aboriginal Peoples into 'one Australia', which is really the cause of the perceived 'problem'. ...
We urge that there is scrutiny of the Stronger Futures bills in order to bring them in line with the international Human Rights covenants and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."
Catholic Religious Australia: CRA urges for an examination of Stronger Futures legislation's compatibility with human rights
http://catholicreligiousaustralia.org/index.php/2012/79-website/content/...
22 Jun 12: "Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) supports the call of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights to investigate whether the proposed Stronger Futures legislation complies with Australia’s obligation to human rights. The CRA’s justice network on 21 June released the following statement:
"Catholic Religious Australia joins with the many other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Church and community groups in asking the Federal Government to listen to and take heed of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights. It is questioning the compatibility of the Stronger Futures Bills with Human Rights." ... "
'concerned Australians': Stronger Futures Requires Scrutiny for Human Rights Protection
Respect and Listen: http://www.respectandlisten.org/uploads/downloads/NT_Intervention/Human-...
21 Jun 12: "Since there has been increasing concern about this particular legislation it would be foolish of the Minister to make objections. It is an opportunity for Government to have its position scrutinised and put an end to the criticism of organisations, churches and Leading Australian who have called for new thinking and an end to the legislation."
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Congress letter to Parliamentary Human Rights Committee
http://nationalcongress.com.au/congress-letter-to-parliamentary-human-ri...
20 Jun 12: "The Chairman of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Labor MP Harry Jenkins has told parliament that the Committee had received correspondence from Congress asking the Committee to examine the Stronger Futures bills for compatibility with human rights under Section 7(a) of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act (2011).
Read the full text of the Congress letter here: http://nationalcongress.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/CongressStatem...
Update 27 June 2012: The Minister responded to the Committee regarding the concerns raised in the Congress letter to the Committee. Read the full response: http://nationalcongress.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/MinisterLetter... "
ACM Sydney: The ACM endorses requests to send Stronger Futures for scrutiny by Parliamentary Human Rights Committee
http://acmsydney.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/the-acm-endorses-requests-to-s...
20 Jun 12: "The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Sydney Archdiocese, congratulates the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights for questioning the compatibility of the Stronger Futures Bills with Human Rights. The Committee was established in March this year to examine legislation to ensure that it is compatible with Human Rights and to report to Parliament. In a statement made to Parliament today, Chair, Harry Jenkins MP said that the Human Rights Committee has received a written request from the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples to examine the Stronger Futures Bills."
UnitingJustice: Human rights check is a vital step towards dignity for Indigenous Australians
http://www.unitingjustice.org.au/justice-for-indigenous-australians/news...
20 Jun 12: "The Uniting Church in Australia has welcomed the call by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights to investigate the proposed Stronger Futures legislation. The National Director of UnitingJustice, Rev. Elenie Poulos, said that without amendment the legislation risks damaging another generation of the First Peoples and fails to uphold their rights. "The Stronger Futures legislation will see the discriminatory measures of the Intervention extended by up to a decade," said Rev. Poulos."
Greens Rachel Siewert: Human rights examination of parenting and intervention laws is an important step
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/human-righ...
20 Jun 12: " ... Senator Siewert has also welcomed news that the joint committee has asked Minister Jenny Macklin to advise them on the compatibility of the Stronger Futures legislation with Australia’s human rights obligations.
"Widespread concerns have been raised about the Intervention and the consultation processes that have been undertaken as part of Stronger Futures.
"This is especially true in regards to programs such as income management and SEAM, which could have discriminatory impacts on Aboriginal people.
"The Attorney General has the capacity to ask the Joint Committee on Human Rights to examine the Stronger Futures package and the Greens have written to Ms Roxon asking for this to occur, a process we regard as essential," Senator Siewert concluded."
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service calls for human rights scrutiny on income management national rollout
http://vals.org.au/news/post/media-release-victorian-aboriginal-legal-se...
18 Jun 12: "The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) has called on Attorney-General Nicola Roxon to refer the Stronger Futures and Social Security Legislation Amendment Bills to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
With both Bills expected to pass through the Senate today, VALS CEO, Wayne Muir, is concerned that without the Committee’s application of human rights scrutiny to these Bills, the measures contained within them are destined to fail Government and the community.
"Today represents a missed opportunity for Government to display strong commitment to human rights in Australia. VALS has joined others in calling on the Attorney-General to utilise her powers of referral to the Committee. Those calls have gone unanswered,' said Mr Muir.
In correspondence with the Attorney-General, Mr Muir has also noted the lack of evidence warranting the nation-wide rollout of income management. ... "
ANTaR Victoria - Working for Land Justice and Reconciliation:
Abandon the Stronger Futures legislation
'concerned Australians': http://concernedaustralians.com.au/media/stronger_futures_yolngu/ANTaR_V...
"ANTaR Victoria urges the Senate not to pass the Stronger Futures legislation. We are opposed to this legislation and call upon Government to abandon it for the following reasons:
Statements from Aboriginal people affected who oppose it and the NT Emergency Response ...
Concern that land rights are being undermined as a consequence of this legislation ...
The legislation negates self-determination ...
The legislation is not going to be reviewed prior to the upcoming Senate vote as to whether it is compatible with human rights norms
While a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights has recently been established, this valuable process has come into effect too late for the Stronger Futures legislation to be reviewed for its compatibility with human rights norms. In light of the many concerns raised in relation to the Northern Territory Emergency Response (NTER) legislation and some aspects of the Stronger Futures legislation by human rights monitors, such a review is crucial."
Greens MPs: Greens seek further scrutiny for NT Intervention
http://greensmps.org.au/content/media-releases/greens-seek-further-scrut...
23 May 12: "The Australian Greens will ask Attorney General Nicola Roxon to refer the Stronger Futures legislation package to the newly established Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
"Stronger Futures, the legislation being used to extend the NT Intervention, was introduced before the joint committee was finalised, meaning the legislation will not be automatically scrutinised and does not need to include a human rights statement," Senator Siewert said today.
"However, terms of reference for the committee allows it to investigate any matter relating to human rights upon referral from the Attorney-General.
"Widespread concerns have been raised about the Intervention and the consultation processes that have been undertaken as part of Stronger Futures. [said Senator Rachel Siewert]"
Matilda Bogner, UN Human Rights Office: NT intervention law must comply with Australia’s human rights obligations
WGAR News: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/23/wgar-news-nt-intervention-law-must-co...
22 May 12: ""There is a path that the Government can take to reassure its critics that it wants the Stronger Futures legislation to comply with human rights standards. Putting it up for review by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights would be a strong signal," writes Matilda Bogner, UN Human Rights Office Regional Representative in the Pacific. Concerns regarding the Australian Federal Government’s interventions in the Northern Territory, dating back to 2007, have been expressed loudly and repeated by affected indigenous communities and their supporters, ... "
Australia challenged at United Nations over NT laws
Congress: http://nationalcongress.com.au/australia-challenged-u-n/
VALS: http://vals.org.au/law-reform-and-policy-development/media/post/australi...
IRAG: http://rollbacktheintervention.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/un-statement-...
Stand for Freedom: http://standforfreedom.org.au/2012/05/16/australia-challenged-at-united-...
Indymedia: http://indymedia.org.au/2012/05/17/australia-challenged-at-united-nation...
16 May 12: "Statement of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegations to the United Nations
The United Nations has heard significant criticisms from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegations over race-based laws currently being considered by the Australian Government.
The delegations are rejecting the argument of the Australian Government that the race laws are ‘special measures’ and are therefore not racially discriminatory. ...
The government promised in 2010 that all new laws introduced into the Parliament would be examined to ensure compliance with Australia’s international human rights obligations.
However the government is refusing to respond to calls for scrutiny of the Bills or to be accountable for introducing these race-based laws.
Times have changed, and it is time for the Australian Government to ‘move on’. ... "
"Statement issued by:
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples
Secretariat of the National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Agencies
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services
National Native Title Council
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations"
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
Stop, Listen & Test NT Laws for Human Rights violations
http://nationalcongress.com.au/stop-listen-test-nt-laws-for-human-rights/
4 May 12: "Congress says Govt should stop, listen and test NT laws for human rights violations.
Congress says it will continue to oppose new Intervention laws because they have not been tested for human rights violations as part of its on-going support to Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.
Congress Co-Chairs Jody Broun and Les Malezer said more Aboriginal people are calling for the laws before Parliament to be scrapped, most recently the Yolgnu Nations Assembly, which represents 8000 traditional owners in west, central and east Arnhem Land. ...
"This is a strong and simple message to the Government that these laws must be independently reviewed to ensure they do not breach human rights standards and international obligations.
"The Government has 'willful deafness' on such a fundamental issue, even after critical reports on the Intervention by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur for Indigenous Peoples. ... " [said Mr Malezer] "
National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples:
New NT Laws must comply with Human Rights obligations
http://nationalcongress.com.au/new-nt-legislation-must-comply-with-human...
8 Feb 12: "The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples (Congress) says the bills to continue the Intervention in the Northern Territory must be withdrawn and reintroduced so they will be subject to the same human rights scrutiny as other bills.
The Congress Co-Chairs say the bills were originally tabled before the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act passed late last year and cannot be debated without being subject to those conditions.
"We are concerned that key provisions of these bills may be in contravention of the Federal Government’s human rights obligations," said Congress Co-Chair, Les Malezer"
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About WGAR News:
http://indymedia.org.au/2012/04/30/about-wgar-news-working-group-for-abo...
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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)