UN rapporteur trenchantly criticises Australia over Aborigines



29 AUG 09: UN EXPERT CALLS NT INTERVENTION "DISCRIMINATORY"

WGAR website: http://wgar.info/


Contents:
Statement by UN Rapporteur, James Anaya
Alyawarra people seek UN refugee status
Proposed national Indigenous body
Other Aboriginal articles


STATEMENT BY UN RAPPORTEUR, JAMES ANAYA:


- Statement at Press Conference

[Ed. note: I have chosen the quote below as I think it will be of interest to readers. However, may I encourage you to click on the link below and read all of James Anaya's statement for a more complete understanding of his views.]

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, as he concludes his visit to Australia http://www.un.org.au/files/files/Press%20Release%20-%20Australia%20JA%20final.pdf

"Canberra/Geneva, 27 August 2009: ... Aspects of the Government’s initiatives to remedy situations of indigenous disadvantage, however, raise concerns. Of particular concern is the Northern Territory Emergency Response, which by the Government’s own account is an extraordinary measure, especially in its income management regime, imposition of compulsory leases, and community-wide bans on alcohol consumption and pornography. These measures overtly discriminate against aboriginal peoples, infringe their right of self-determination and stigmatize already stigmatized communities. ... I urge the Government to act swiftly to reinstate the protections of the Racial Discrimination Act in regard to the indigenous peoples of the Northern Territory. ... government initiatives to address the housing needs of indigenous peoples, should avoid imposing leasing or other arrangements that would
undermine indigenous peoples’ control over their lands. ... "


- Radio

ABC Radio Australia:
UN urges Australia to pay reparations to indigenous communities
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/200908/s2669225.htm
28 Aug 09: " ... The UN's special rapporteur on indigenous rights and freedoms is American law expert Professor James Anaya, and he's given his initial findings, after a 12-day tour of urban and remote Australia. He also says Canberra should pay reparations to the country's indigenous people, something the Labor government has previously ruled out.... "

ABC PM: UN official slams NT intervention
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2009/s2669042.htm
27 Aug 09: "A senior United Nations official has slammed the Northern Territory intervention. Professor James Anaya is the UN's Special Rapporteur on the rights and freedoms of Indigenous peoples. After 11 days touring Aboriginal communities, he says Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders are experiencing entrenched racism. Professor Anaya says the intervention breaches a number of international treaties."
[includes comments by James Anaya]


- Opinion

National Indigenous Times:
Facing up to our racism:
A UN perspective on the Northern Territory intervention
http://www.nit.com.au/story.aspx?id=18509
28 Aug 09: "Prof Anaya brings within him a big reputation. Or, in the words of Indigenous affairs minister Jenny Macklin, who greeted Anaya at a function when he arrived a fortnight ago: "Professor Anaya is recognised as one of the world's leading human rights advocates and legal scholars," Macklin enthused. "His advocacy and legal work on behalf of Indigenous communities command worldwide attention. This is an extraordinary opportunity for an honest and open exchange of views and experiences." " Chris Graham


- News

National Indigenous Times:
UN Indigenous rights experts slams intervention as
"overtly discriminatory"
http://www.nit.com.au/story.aspx?id=18502
28 Aug 09: "A UN expert on Indigenous rights says the ongoing intervention into remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory is overtly discriminatory and Australia must tackle its "entrenched" racism. ... He [Professor Anaya] says NT intervention measures, including compulsory income management and blanket bans on alcohol and pornography, are "overtly discriminatory" and further stigmatise already stigmatised communities. They're
incompatible with various international conventions, covenants, treaties and declarations, he said. ... Prof Anaya was also scathing of Labor's insistence that housing funds would only flow if Indigenous communities leased their land to the government for 40 years."

SMH: End culture of racism, says UN inspector
http://www.smh.com.au/national/end-culture-of-racism-says-un-inspector-20090827-f18d.html?skin=text-only
28 Aug 09: "COMPULSORY land takeovers, welfare quarantining and forced alcohol and pornography bans must cease if Australia's ''broad-sweep'' intervention is to comply with international law, the United Nations says. The UN special rapporteur on indigenous human rights, James Anaya, yesterday gave a damning assessment of entrenched racism that persisted in Australia, specifying measures in the Northern Territory intervention."

Canberra Times: UN flays 'discriminatory' NT intervention
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/un-flays-discriminatory-nt-intervention/1608368.aspx
28 Aug 09: "The UN's special rapporteur on Indigenous Rights, James Anaya, has savaged the Northern Territory intervention as "clearly discriminatory" and "demeaning" to indigenous people. ... He said the Northern Territory intervention breached two United Nations rights charters to which Australia was a signatory, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People."

ABC: Intervention protects vulnerable: Macklin
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/28/2670036.htm?section=australia
28 Aug 09: "Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin has defended the Northern Territory intervention as necessary to protect the rights of vulnerable people, following United Nations criticism it is racist."

ABC: NT Govt brushes off UN's intervention blast
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/28/2669997.htm
28 Aug 09: "The Northern Territory's Acting Chief Minister, Delia Lawrie, has rejected criticism of the intervention by the United Nations special rapporteur. ... Meanwhile, Indigenous activist Barbara Shaw says the Federal Government must stop the practice of income management in Territory Indigenous communities."

National Indigenous Times:
Abbott dubs Anaya an "armchair critic"
http://www.nit.com.au/breakingnews/story.aspx?id=18508
28 Aug 09: "A United Nations expert who described intervention into remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory as discriminatory is an "armchair critic", opposition Indigenous affairs spokesman Tony Abbott says."

ABC: Brough dismisses UN intervention criticism
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/28/2669212.htm
28 Aug 09: "Mal Brough, the minister who oversaw the Northern Territory intervention, has angrily dismissed claims by a United Nations human rights expert that the measures are overtly racist."

Australian: Brough slams UN indigenous expert
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25992646-12377,00.html
28 Aug 09: "THE Howard Government minister who designed the Northern Territory intervention policy in remote indigenous communities has slammed a UN expert for suggesting the program is overtly discriminatory."

Australian: Howard ministers accuse UN observer Anaya of putting rights before living standards
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25993055-5013871,00.html
28 Aug 09: "TWO former Howard government ministers have accused a United Nations observer of putting rights before living standards by alleging that the intervention into remote Northern Territory communities is discriminatory."

BBC: UN condemns Aboriginal treatment
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8223881.stm
27 Aug 09: "A senior United Nations human rights official has criticised Australia's measures to fight child abuse and alcoholism in Aboriginal communities. Prof James Anaya said the measures were discriminatory and stigmatised indigenous people. He spoke after a tour of Aboriginal townships prompted by complaints that the government intervention was racist."
[The same news item appeared in this Nigeria blog:
http://www.nigerianbestforum.com/blog/?p=22356 ]

New York Times:
U.N. Condemns ’07 Policy in Aboriginal Communities
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/world/asia/28briefs-Australiabrf.html?_r=1
27 Aug 09: "A senior United Nations official on Thursday condemned Australia’s intervention in remote Aboriginal communities in 2007, describing the measures as discriminatory."

Bloomberg: UN Says Indigenous Rights Undermined in Australia
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aB4oRJiGK6OA
27 Aug 09: "James Anaya, the UN special rapporteur on indigenous human rights, called on the government to scrap the so-called intervention policy in the Northern Territory, under which welfare payments to Aborigines are held by officials to ensure money is spent on food instead of alcohol. “There is entrenched racism in Australia,” Anaya told reporters in the capital, Canberra, after visiting several Aboriginal townships in the past week."

Reuters [US]: UN critical of Australian Aboriginal intervention
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE57Q16I20090827
27 Aug 09: "A senior United Nations official condemned on Thursday Australia's controversial intervention into remote Aboriginal communities, describing the measures as discriminatory and finding entrenched racism in Australia."

VOANews.com [US]: UN Representative Criticizes Australia's Aboriginal Policies as Racist
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-08-27-voa10.cfm
27 Aug 09: "A U.N. representative says Australia's intervention in dozens of troubled Aboriginal communities is discriminatory and breaches the country's international human-rights obligations. The U.N. special investigator on indigenous people, James Anaya, says that Aborigines in Australia face entrenched racism."

ABC: Indigenous intervention discriminatory: UN
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/27/2668915.htm?site=news
27 Aug 09: "The United Nations says Australia is breaching its international human rights obligations by continuing the Northern Territory intervention. The UN's special rapporteur on human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous people, Professor James Anaya, says the intervention is also discriminatory and has urged the Government to reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act."

Breaking News 24/7: UN says racism entrenched in Australia
http://blog.taragana.com/n/un-says-racism-entrenched-in-australia-151103/
27 Aug 09: "James Anaya didn’t pull any punches after his two-week visit of the country, saying the Rudd Government should reinstate the Racial Discrimination Act in the Northern Territory “right away” because the intervention into remote Aboriginal communities is clearly discriminatory."

Breaking News 24/7: UN expert says Australia breached Aborigines’ rights with measures mean to curb child abuse
http://blog.taragana.com/n/un-expert-says-australia-breached-aborigines-rights-with-measures-mean-to-curb-child-abuse-151056/
27 Aug 09: "Australia breached international obligations on human and indigenous rights by imposing radical restrictions on Aborigines during a crackdown on child abuse in Outback communities, a United Nations expert said Thursday."


- Video

SBS World News: Intervention Attacked
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1078867/Brough-slams-UN-indigenous-expert#
28 Aug 09

ABC Lateline: UN labels Indigenous intervention racist
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2008/s2669184.htm
27 Aug 09: "The United Nations has called the Commonwealth's intervention into Northern Territory Indigenous communities racist, and says it breaches a number of international treaties. At the same time, Australia's Social Justice Commissioner has unveiled his proposal for a new Indigenous advisory body, a model that attracted criticism of its own."


- 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-aboriginal-communities-23-aug-09

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-community-seeks-un-support-26-aug-09



ALYAWARRA PEOPLE SEEK UN REFUGEE STATUS:


- 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-community-seeks-un-support-26-aug-09


- News

Asia One: Australian Aborigines seek 'refugee' status
http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20090826-163620.html
26 Aug 09: "A group of Aborigines from Australia's desert Outback have asked the United Nations to declare them refugees in their own country, saying a military-led crackdown has left them powerless."

News Times [India]:
Australian aborigines demand UN refugee status
http://newstimes.in/world-news/australian-aborigines-demand-un-refugee-status/
26 Aug 09: "A group of Australian aborigines has requested the United Nations to grant them refugee status. ... Richard Downs, a spokesman of the 4000-member Alyawarra community in central Australia, said the request for refugee status had been forwarded to James Anaya, the United Nations special rapporteur on indigenous human rights, when he was visiting Australia on a fact-finding mission."

AOL News Canada: Australia's Aborigines request refugee status
http://news.aol.ca/article/australias-aborigines-request-refugee-status/697999/
26 Aug 09: "A group of 4,000 Australian Aborigines asked the United Nations to grant them refugee status Wednesday, saying that government-imposed measures to curb alcohol and sexual abuse in their communities have made them outcasts in their own country, according to Reuters."

9 News: NT Aborigines seek UN refugee status
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/854674/nt-aborigines-seek-un-refugee-status
26 Aug 09: "Aborigines from central Australia are seeking refugee status from the United Nations, claiming they have been forced off their land and made to feel "helpless, hopeless and worthless". They say the federal intervention into remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory has deprived them of basic human rights and violated their ties to country."

ABC: Aboriginal refugee claim 'unlikely to succeed'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/27/2668239.htm
27 Aug 09: "An expert in refugee and human rights law says a group of Aboriginal people who have asked the United Nations to register them as refugees within Australia are unlikely to be successful."

Reuters [US]: Australia Aborigines ask U.N. for refugee status
http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE57P0BW20090826
25 Aug 09: "A group of Australian Aborigines asked the United Nations Wednesday for refugee status, claiming special emergency laws to curb alcohol and sexual abuse in the remote outback have turned them into outcasts at home."


PROPOSED NATIONAL INDIGENOUS BODY:


- Video

ABC 7.30 Report: Tom Calma joins The 7.30 Report
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2009/s2669141.htm
27 Aug 09: "Australia may soon have a new peak Aboriginal advisory body, a Congress of 128 members drawn from communities and organisations around the nation to replace ATSIC, which was discredited and axed by the Howard government. Unlike ATSIC, the new congress with its own ethics council would have no power to implement policy or provide direct services to Aboriginal communities. The body has been proposed by a review process headed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma, and was unveiled ironically on the same day as a special UN rapporteur visited Australia has trenchantly criticise the Northern Territory intervention."

SBS World News: Intervention Attacked
http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1078867/Brough-slams-UN-indigenous-expert#
28 Aug 09
[Play video. Midway through there are comments by Tom Calma and Michael Anderson on the proposed Indigenous body.]


- News

ABC Darwin: Anderson sceptical about post-ATSIC body
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/28/2669505.htm?site=darwin
28 Aug 09: "The former Northern Territory Indigenous policy minister, Alison Anderson, says a plan for a new body to represent Aboriginal people will have board members who do not really understand the problems of people in remote communities."

ABC: Calma urges support for ATSIC replacement
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/27/2668710.htm?site=news
27 Aug 09: "A new organisation to represent Indigenous people should be an independent private body headed by elected representatives, the Federal Government has been told."

ABC: Fears of ATSIC ghost in new Indigenous body
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/27/2669178.htm?site=news
27 Aug 09: "Members of the Indigenous community have given mixed reviews to a proposed national Indigenous body, with many hoping the new council will usher in an era of self-determination. But despite the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Commissioner Tom Calma's promise that the new body will be "radically different" from anything seen in the past, the ghost of ATSIC still lurks."

Australian: Cracks already in new indigenous council
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25987324-601,00.html
27 Aug 09: "MANY of the nation's most recognised Aboriginal leaders have had no input into the creation of a national indigenous body, raising concerns that the new council will fail to bridge the divide between urban and remote indigenous communities."


- Opinion

Coober Pedy Regional Times:
UN Visit - Tom Calma criticised by NSW Aboriginal leader
http://cooberpedyregionaltimes.wordpress.com/2009/08/27/un-visit-calma-criticised-by-nsw-aboriginal-leader/
27 Aug 09: "A NSW Aboriginal leader suggests that an address by Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, today is timed to draw attention away from one just after it by James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, to report on his recent findings in Aboriginal communities."

Australian: Indigenous body is not the main game
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25990685-16741,00.html
28 Aug 09: "Tom Calma's proposed body ignores the real challenges. TOM Calma's blueprint for a new national indigenous body is a victory for structure over substance.
The report presented to the federal government yesterday by the Social Justice Commissioner has considerable detail about how the body will be set up. But the missing piece is what exactly this institution would really achieve at this moment in Australian politics."

Australian: Probity check for 'new ATSIC' as minister fails to commit to seed money
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25991970-2702,00.html
28 Aug 09: "But plans for the body to be independent of the government hit an early stumbling block, with Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin declining to commit funding that would allow it to become financially self-sufficient." Nicola Berkovic and Stuart Rintoul

Australian: Body devoid of power and purpose
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25991987-7583,00.html
28 Aug 09: "AMIDST clouds of dewy rhetoric, Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma yesterday proposed, from the podium of the National Press Club, what the Labor federal government will happily accept - a national Aboriginal representative body without power, without obvious purpose, full of modish features and non-traditional aspects." Nicolas Rothwell


OTHER ABORIGINAL ARTICLES:


- News

ABC: Release Aboriginal housing report now: CLP
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/27/2668397.htm?site=news
27 Aug 09: "The Northern Territory Opposition says the Government must immediately release a report into a major Indigenous housing program. The report into the Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program is now overdue. The authors are looking into concerns much of the $672 million allocated is being sucked up by administrative and ancillary costs."


- - -

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WGAR: Working Group for Aboriginal Rights (Australia)

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31 AUG 2009: MORE MEDIA RESPONSES TO UN EXPERT, JAMES ANAYA

WGAR website: http://wgar.info/


Contents:
More media responses to James Anaya's statement & 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 & 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-aboriginal-communities-23-aug-09

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-community-seeks-un-support-26-aug-09

WGAR News:
UN Expert calls NT Intervention "discriminatory" (29 Aug 09)
http://indymedia.org.au/2009/08/29/wgar-news-un-expert-calls-nt-intervention-discriminatory-29-aug-09


- 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-national-library-australia-28092009/


- Text of James Anaya's statement of 27 Aug 09

http://www.un.org.au/files/files/Press%20Release%20-%20Australia%20JA%20final.pdf


- 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%20release%2030%20August%202009.doc
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-vindicates-greens-opposition-nter
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=article&id=1665%3Aaustralia-can-do-more-to-improve-situation-of-indigenous-peoples--un-expert&catid=54%3Aaustralia-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=76&lang=en
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=10593892&ref=rss
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-20090828-f2im.html
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-groups-worrisome-un-rapporteur.html
"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-discriminatory-aboriginal-plan
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-intervention-20090828-f1j9.html
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-squalor-better-than-un-rapporteur-james-anaya-really/
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-and-media-show.html
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/dailytelegraph/comments/right_to_a_future_free_of_un_meddling/
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/ALeqM5i8ZESAVTztWWj05AXc1IyvnL_ALQD9ABV8900
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-intervention-discriminatory-29-aug-09


- Media Release

Greens: National Indigenous Representative Body a step in
the right direction
http://rachel-siewert.greensmps.org.au/content/media-release/national-indigenous-representative-body-a-step-right-direction-greens
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-community-seeks-un-support-26-aug-09

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-intervention-discriminatory-29-aug-09


- News

Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources:
Alyawarra People Ask United Nations For Refugee Status
http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1677%3Aalyawarra-people-ask-united-nations-for-refugee-status&catid=54%3Aaustralia-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=76&lang=en
"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/