Each year, Amnesty International releases a report on the state of the world’s human rights for the previous year. Australia does not escape scrutiny in these reports. In 2007, Amnesty International reported that discrimination against marginalised people continued and the flaws in Australia’s counter terrorism tactics were exposed.
The overriding of the Racial Discrimination Act as part of the large scale intervention into Indigenous communities by the previous government, is one example of how readily human rights can be undermined. Another example is the detention without charge then abandonment of charges against Indian national Dr Haneef.
Happily, the current Government has recently taken steps to restore the rights of refugees. However for many years, a great number of these very vulnerable people had their rights denied and men, women and children were held for years in detention centres both in Australia and in the Pacific. Amnesty International heavily criticised this detention regime.
Without a Human Rights Act or any other similar overarching instrument these situations have been able to occur almost unchecked.
This year we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - a document which Australia played a significant role in bringing to life. Now it is time to see those rights actively promoted and protected here in Australia by the introduction of a federal Human Rights Act to show that Australia is serious about promoting and protecting our rights - particularly those of us who are vulnerable and marginalised.
Katie Wood, Campaign Coordinator , Amnesty International Australia
For access the complete 2008 report and further commentary please go to the Amnesty International Australia website.