UN blasts ‘deeply disturbing’ racism against Aborigines

SYDNEY: Racism against Aborigines in Australia is widespread and “deeply disturbing”, a United Nations envoy said yesterday, urging the government to work more closely with indigenous people.

UN special rapporteur Victoria TauliCorpuz has been on a 15-day visit at Canberra’s invitation to check on progress made since the last such trip in 2009.

“As I have travelled across the country, I have found the prevalence of racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples deeply disturbing,” she said.

“This manifests itself in different ways, ranging from public stereotyped portrayals of them as violent criminals, welfare profiteers and poor parents and to discrimination in the administration of justice.”

During her tour, Ms Tauli-Corpuz examined measures aimed at reducing indigenous disadvantage, jail conditions, land rights issues and violence against women.

In February an annual government report entitled “Closing the Gap” found that Australia was failing in its efforts to improve Aboriginal lives, with targets — including cutting child mortality and raising life expectancy — not being met.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull admitted at the time not enough progress had been made and committed more money to improve research and evaluate policies to improve the situation.

The UN rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples said in a statement there was a lack of government consultation with indigenous bodies working to support their own communities in public health, housing, education and child protection.

Ms Tauli-Corpuz also highlighted escalating rates of youth suicide and denounced as “simply astounding” the high levels of indigenous incarceration.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders make up 27% of the prison population, despite accounting for just 3% of Australia’s population. “Imprisonment is the end result of years of dispossession, discrimination and trauma ... over the generations,” said the envoy.