CERD/C/AUS/CO/14
14 April 2005
Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Sixty-sixth session
21 February-11 March 2005
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES
PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION
Concluding observations of the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination
AUSTRALIA
1. The Committee considered the thirteenth and fourteenth periodic reports of
Australia, due in 2000 and 2002 respectively, submitted as one document (CERD/C/428/Add.2),
at its 1685th and 1686th meetings (CERD/C/SR.1685 and 1686), held on 1 and 2
March 2005. At its 1699th meeting (CERD/C/SR.1699), held on 10 March 2005, it
adopted the following concluding observations.
A. Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the report submitted by the State party, which mainly
focuses on issues raised in the Committee’s previous concluding observations,
as well as the additional oral information provided by the delegation.
B. Positive aspects
3. The Committee notes with satisfaction that serious acts of racial hatred
or incitement to racial hatred are criminal offences in most Australian States
and Territories. It particularly welcomes, in this regard, legislative developments
in Victoria and Queensland.
4. The Committee notes with satisfaction that significant progress has been
achieved in the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by the indigenous
peoples. It welcomes the commitment of all Australian Governments to work together
on this issue through the Council of Australian Governments, as well as the
adoption of a national strategy on indigenous family violence.
5. The Committee notes with great interest the diversionary and preventative
programmes aimed at reducing the number of indigenous juveniles entering the
criminal justice system, as well as the development of culturally sensitive
procedures and practices among the police and the judiciary.
6. The Committee welcomes the abrogation of mandatory sentencing provisions
in the Northern Territory.
7. The Committee welcomes the adoption of a Charter of Public Service in a Culturally
Diverse Society to ensure that government services are provided in a way that
is sensitive to the language and cultural needs of all Australians.
8. The Committee welcomes the numerous human rights education programmes developed
by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC).
C. Concerns and recommendations
9. The Committee, while noting the explanations provided by the delegation,
reiterates its concern about the absence of any entrenched guarantee against
racial discrimination that would override the law of the Commonwealth (Convention,
art. 2). The Committee recommends to the State party that it work towards the
inclusion of an entrenched guarantee against racial discrimination in its domestic
law.
10. The Committee notes that the Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation
Bill 2003 reforming the HREOC has lapsed in Parliament, but that the State party
remains committed to pursuing the reform of the Commission. It notes the concerns
expressed by the HREOC that some aspects of the reform could significantly undermine
its integrity, independence and efficiency (art. 2). The Committee notes the
importance given by the State party to the HREOC in monitoring Australia’s compliance
with the provisions of the Convention and recommends that it take fully into
account the comments expressed by the HREOC on the proposed reform, and that
the integrity, independence and efficiency of the Commission be fully preserved
and respected.
11. The Committee is concerned about the abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), the main policy-making body in Aboriginal
affairs consisting of elected indigenous representatives. It is concerned that
the establishment of a board of appointed experts to advise the Government on
indigenous peoples’ issues, as well as the transfer of most programmes previously
provided by the ATSIC and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Service
to government departments, will reduce the participation of indigenous peoples
in decision-making and thus alter the State party’s capacity to address the
full range of issues relating to indigenous peoples (arts. 2 and 5). The Committee
recommends that the State party take decisions directly relating to the rights
and interests of indigenous peoples with their informed consent, as stated in
its general recommendation XXIII. The Committee recommends that the State party
reconsider the withdrawal of existing guarantees for the effective representative
participation of indigenous peoples in the conduct of public affairs as well
as in decision- and policy-making relating to their rights and interests.
12. The Committee notes that Australia has not withdrawn its reservation to
article 4 (a) of the Convention. It notes with concern that the Commonwealth,
the State of Tasmania and the Northern Territory have no legislation criminalizing
serious acts of racial hatred or incitement to racial hatred. The Committee
reiterates its recommendation that the State party make efforts to adopt appropriate
legislation with a view to giving full effect to the provisions of, and to withdrawing
its reservation to, article 4 (a) of the Convention. The Committee wishes to
receive information on complaints, prosecutions and sentences regarding serious
acts of racial hatred or incitement to racial hatred in States and Territories
the legislation of which specifies such offences.
13. The Committee notes with concern reports that prejudice against Arabs
and Muslims in Australia has increased and that the enforcement of counter-terrorism
legislation may have an indirect discriminatory effect against Arab and Muslim
Australians (arts. 4 and 5). The Committee welcomes the national consultations
on eliminating prejudice against Arab and Muslim Australians and wishes to receive
more detailed information on the results of such consultations. It recommends
that the State party increase its efforts to eliminate such prejudice and ensure
that enforcement of counter-terrorism legislation does not disproportionately
impact on specific ethnic groups and people of other national origins.
14. The Committee is concerned at reports of biased treatment of asylum-seekers
by the media (art. 4). The Committee recommends that the State party take resolute
action to counter any tendency to target, stigmatize, stereotype or profile
non-citizens, including asylum-seekers, on the basis of race, colour, descent,
or national or ethnic origin, especially by the media and the society at large.
In this regard, it draws the attention of the State party to its general recommendation
XXX on non-citizens.
15. The Committee notes with concern that it has proved difficult for complainants,
under the Racial Discrimination Act, to establish racial discrimination in the
absence of direct evidence, and that no cases of racial discrimination, as distinct
from racial hatred, have been successfully litigated in the Federal courts since
2001 (arts. 4 and 6). The Committee, having taken note of the explanations provided
by the delegation, invites the State party to envisage regulating the burden
of proof in civil proceedings involving racial discrimination so that once an
alleged victim has established a prima facie case that he or she has been a
victim of such
discrimination, it shall be for the respondent to provide evidence of an objective
and reasonable justification for differential treatment.
16. The Committee notes with concern the persistence of diverging perceptions
between governmental authorities and indigenous peoples and others on the compatibility
of the 1998 amendments to the Native Title Act with the Convention. The Committee
reiterates its view that the Mabo case and the 1993 Native Title Act constituted
a significant development in the recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights,
but that the 1998 amendments roll back some of the protections previously offered
to indigenous peoples and provide legal certainty for Government and third parties
at the expense of indigenous title. The Committee stresses in this regard that
the use by the State party of a margin of appreciation in order to strike a
balance between existing interests is limited by its obligations under the Convention
(art. 5). The Committee recommends that the State party refrain from adopting
measures that withdraw existing guarantees of indigenous rights and that it
make every effort to seek the informed consent of indigenous peoples before
adopting decisions relating to their rights to land. It further recommends that
the State party reopen discussions with indigenous peoples with a view to discussing
possible amendments to the Native Title Act and finding solutions acceptable
to all.
17. The Committee is concerned about information according to which proof of
continuous observance and acknowledgement of the laws and customs of indigenous
peoples since the British acquisition of sovereignty over Australia is required
to establish elements in the statutory definition of native title under the
Native Title Act. The high standard of proof required is reported to have the
consequence that many indigenous peoples are unable to obtain recognition of
their relationship with their traditional lands (art. 5). The Committee wishes
to receive more information on this issue, including on the number of claims
that have been rejected because of the requirement of this high standard of
proof. It recommends that the State party review the requirement of such a high
standard of proof, bearing in mind the nature of the relationship of indigenous
peoples to their land.
18. The Committee notes that 51 determinations of native title have been made
since 1998 and that 37 of them have confirmed the existence of native title.
It also acknowledges the provisions introduced by the 1998 amendments to the
Native Title Act regarding indigenous land-use agreements, as well as the creation
of the Indigenous Land Fund in 1995 to purchase land for indigenous Australians
unable to benefit from recognition of native title (art. 5). The Committee wishes
to receive more detailed information, including statistical data, on the extent
to which such arrangements respond to indigenous claims over land. Information
on achievements at State and Territory levels may also be provided.
19. While noting the improvement in the enjoyment by the indigenous peoples
of their economic, social and cultural rights, the Committee is concerned over
the wide gap that still exists between the indigenous peoples and others, in
particular in the areas of employment, housing, health, education and income
(art. 5).
The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to achieve
equality in the enjoyment of rights and allocate adequate resources to programmes
aimed at the eradication of disparities. It recommends in particular that decisive
steps be taken to ensure that a sufficient number of health professionals provide
services to indigenous peoples, and that the State party set up benchmarks for
monitoring progress in key areas of indigenous disadvantage.
20. The Committee, having taken note of the explanations provided by the State
party, reiterates its concern about provisions for mandatory sentencing in the
Criminal Code of Western Australia. The Committee is concerned at reports of
the disparate impact of this law on indigenous groups, and reminds the State
party that the Convention prohibits direct as well as indirect discrimination
(art. 5). The Committee recommends that the State party take appropriate measures
to achieve abrogation of such legislation, following the example of the Northern
Territory. The Committee further stresses the role and responsibility of the
Federal Government in this regard under the Convention.
21. The Committee remains concerned about the striking overrepresentation of
indigenous peoples in prisons as well as the percentage of indigenous deaths
in custody. It has also been reported that indigenous women constitute the fastest-growing
prison population (art. 5). The Committee recommends that the State party increase
its efforts to remedy this situation. It wishes to receive more information
about the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal
Deaths in Custody.
22. The Committee notes with concern reports of alleged discrimination in the
grant of visas against persons from Asian countries and Muslims, and further
notes the assurances given by the delegation that no such discrimination occurs
(art. 5). The Committee would like to receive more information on this issue,
including
statistical data. The Committee reiterates that States parties should ensure
that immigration policies do not have the effect of discriminating against persons
on the basis of race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin.
23. The Committee expresses concern about the mandatory detention of illegal
migrants, including asylum-seekers, in particular when such detention affects
women, children, unaccompanied minors, and those who are considered stateless.
It is concerned that many persons have been in such administrative detention
for over three years (art. 5). The Committee recommends that the State party
review the mandatory, automatic and indeterminate character of the detention
of illegal migrants. It wishes to receive statistical data, disaggregated by
nationality and length of detention, relating to persons held under such detention,
including in offshore detention centres.
24. The Committee is concerned at reports according to which temporary protection
visas granted to refugees who arrive without a valid visa do not make them eligible
for many public services, do not imply any right to family reunion, and make
their situation precarious. It is further reported that migrants are denied
access to social security for a two-year period upon entry into Australia (art.
5). The Committee wishes to receive statistical data, disaggregated by nationality,
relating to temporary protection visas. It recommends that the State party review
its policies, taking into consideration the fact that, under the Convention,
differential treatment based on citizenship or immigration status would constitute
discrimination if the criteria for such differentiation, judged in the light
of the objectives and purposes of the Convention, are not applied pursuant to
a legitimate aim, and are not proportional to the achievement of that aim.
25. The Committee, while acknowledging the efforts undertaken by the State
party to achieve reconciliation and having taken note of the 1999 Motion of
Reconciliation, is concerned about reports that the State party has rejected
most of the recommendations adopted by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
in 2000 (art. 6). The Committee encourages the State party to increase its efforts
with a view to ensuring that a meaningful reconciliation is achieved and accepted
by the indigenous peoples and the population at large. It reiterates its recommendation
that the State party consider the need to address appropriately the harm inflicted
by the forced removal of indigenous children.
26. The Committee recommends that the State party take into account the relevant
parts of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action when implementing the
Convention in the domestic legal order, in particular in respect of articles
2 to 7 of the Convention, and that it include in its next periodic report information
on action plans or other measures taken to implement the Durban Declaration
and Programme of Action at the national level.
27. The Committee recommends that the State party’s reports be made readily available to the public from the time they are submitted and that the observations of the Committee on these reports be similarly publicized. It suggests that consultations of non-governmental organizations and indigenous peoples be organized during the compilation of the next periodic report.
28. The State party should within one year provide information on the way
it has followed up on the Committee’s recommendations contained in paragraphs
10, 11, 16 and 17 (paragraph 1 of rule 65 of the rules of procedure). The Committee
recommends that the State party submit its fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth
periodic reports in a single report, due on 30 October 2008.