UN criticizes Australia racial discrimination

2009-08-28 19:22 BJT

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A senior United Nations official is condemning Australia's controversial intervention in remote Aboriginal communities. James Anaya, calls the measures discriminatory and a result of entrenched racism.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous People made the findings after a 12-day visit to Australia. He visited indigenous communities and held talks with the Australian government. He says it's clear the entrenched racism of the past remains and the ongoing intervention in communities in the Northern Territory continues discrimination against Aborigines. He's appealing for more efforts to be made to change the current situation.

James Anaya, UN special rapporteur, said, "These measures overtly discriminate against Aboriginal peoples, infringe their right of self-determination and stigmatize already stigmatized communities. What needs to happen is that efforts need to be made to empower indigenous peoples to do that where there are deficiencies in that regard, not simply assume that that's not going to happen."

Editor: Liu Fang | Source: CCTV.com