Universal Periodic Review

• Climate change and rising tides on Pacific islands
• Indigenous rights and Incarceration (The local ANTAR contributed to a section on Indigenous incarceration.)
• Treatment of refugees

Thank you again for your grassroots support of a submission to the Human Rights Council on Australia's human rights. We watched, the day after Australia Day, as Senator Kate Lundy led the Australian delegation through three hours of 'interactive dialgoue' with over 54 nations. We were delighted that many of our concerns were voiced, some very explicitly, in the recommendations put to Australia by these countries.

You can read the three final documents that informed the process on UPR-info site. In the Stakeholders Report, you'll see we get specific mention as 'JS4' (Joint Submission 4), as well as sharing many concerns with other NGOs, of course. That's all your good work.

Brian Bond and Jim Jolley (the FMSI Director) lobbied particular countries here in Geneva, during January, and it paid off with some well-phrased and timely comments and recommendations. The whole list of recommendations will be eventually available in the Working Group Report on Australia's UPR, on the http://www.upr-info.org/-Australia-.html website.

I counted 41/54 (76%) countries making recommendations that directly affect our own interests on the ground. Interestingly, only one country (The Maldives) took up our recommendation on reducing Australia's greenhouse gases - but at least it was heard. The biggest support for Indigenous issues from the countries speaking focused on the setting up of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples and the Close the Gap programme. But the incarceration of Indigenous people was often mentioned - notably by the USA, and the need for Australia to implement the principles of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

There were lots of comments and recommendations on refugeees, asylum-seekers and 'irregular migrants' (a new buzz word). While some speakers commended Australia for being quite 'frank' in its own assessment of its human rights problems, I personally found Australia's responses on irregular migrants inaccurate and dangerously misleading. I think I heard denial.

So, you have done well. There is much more to say, and plenty more to do! For now, be convinced you have been heard at the UN in Geneva.

Let's see if Australia was listening ...

Cheers,

Moy Hitchen

EDMUND RICE INTERNATIONAL

37 - 39 rue de Vermont
PO Box 104
1211 Geneva 20
SWITZERLAND
T +41 22 919 4010

moyhitchen@hotmail.com
www.edmundriceinternational.org