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| Weekly News Summary No 146 compiled from Federal parliamentary and other sources relevant to Australia’s obligations to the United Nations ISSN 1035-218X No 230 October 6, 2000 Editor: Ian Mathews Ph: (02) 6281 4025 Fax (02) 6285 2529 Earlier editions on website: www.unaa.org.au/fset.html OK - start the world again! UNity is back! Because of the three week break while the editor was enjoying New Zealand, this edition contains some "catch-up" material.
UNAA seeks cooperation on UN Committee National President of the United Nations Association of Australia Margaret Reynolds has congratulated Professor Ivan Shearer on his successful election to the UN Human Rights Committee recently. In welcoming the announcement she said that UNAA members around Australia would be pleased that Professor Shearer offered important continuity of expertise following on from the significant contribution of Justice Elizabeth Evatt. "Australia's ongoing participation in the work of the UN Human Rights Committee would serve to reassure the international community that recent Federal Government pronouncements critical of the UN Human Rights Treaty Committees did not mean total isolation of Australia from this important work. Furthermore it signalled to the Australian people that the Federal Government wanted to be part of the United Nations human rights process," she said.. UNAA would welcome the opportunity to work with Professor Shearer in generating a greater level of understanding about the role of the UN Human Rights Committee and related committees throughout the general community. UN Secretary-General replies Within three days of sending a letter to the UN Secretary General, [UNity No 145 September 8] expressing concern at the Australian Government's action against the UN human rights committee system, the National President of UNAA, Professor Margaret Reynolds, on behalf of 32 non-government organisations, received a reply from his office. Director of Communications and Special Projects Shashi Tharoor, in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General wrote, in part, "The Secretary-General is most grateful for the steadfast commitment and support of the signatory organisations for the work of the United Nations in the field of human rights." For more information, call Margaret Reynolds, of the United Nations Association of Australia
Democrats call on PM over CEDAW It was a source of shame that Australia was not one of the countries promoting equal rights for women, the Leader of the Australian Democrats, Senator Meg Lees, said in a statement on the urgent need to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). She has called on the Prime Minister, John Howard, to restore the Government's support for the Optional Protocol. Australia is not among the 10 countries which have already ratified the Optional Protocol which can now come into effect on December 22. They are: Austria, Bangladesh, Ireland, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Namibia, Senegal, Italy and Thailand. "The women of Australia are just starting to realise that they have been rolled by the boys in Cabinet," she said. For more information, call Senator Lees (02) 6277 3203 website: www.democrats.org.au
Evatt critical of Govt. policy on UN Committees Australia's former member on the UN Human Rights Committee, Justice Elizabeth Evatt, issued a statement on 4 September 2000 in response to the Government press release of 29 August and subsequent media discussion titled "Let us have the truth about the treaty committees" .She writes: THE TREATY COMMITTEES ARE NOT UNELECTED UNREPRESENTATIVE BODIES: The UN treaty committees do not consist of unelected, faceless UN bureaucrats. Committee members are nominated and elected by the governments, including Australia's, which have agreed to respect each human rights treaty. Australia influences the composition of the committees by its vote and otherwise. Most members of the UN Human Rights Committee are judges or law professors who take time out of their professional lives to serve in an honorary capacity on the committee. AUSTRALIA HAS NOT BEEN SINGLED OUT UNFAIRLY: The treaty bodies have not unfairly singled out Australia for criticism. All countries that have agreed to be bound by the UN human rights treaties fall under the committees' spotlight in turn. In the last year, for example, the Human Rights Committee examined reports from Cambodia, Canada, Ireland, Morocco, (South) Korea, Kuwait and Kyrgysztan among others. Its assessments and criticisms of those countries received no publicity in Australia. Australia's reports were considered by three UN treaty bodies in 2000 only because of late reporting by this country. SERIOUS ABUSES BY OTHER COUNTRIES ARE NOT IGNORED: The UN treaty committees do not ignore major violations committed by other countries. The UN Human Rights Committee calls on countries facing grave situations, such as Bosnia and Rwanda, to provide special reports. Many countries who have reported in recent years, including Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Cambodia have been severely criticised for such violations as arbitrary killings, brutal treatment of prisoners or trafficking of women and children. So far from "going light on China", the UN Committee against Torture challenged that country in respect of the many allegations of torture and deaths brought to its attention by non-governmental organisations and for the failure of China to ensure effective legal protection against torture. Where are the corresponding criticisms by the Australian government? NOR ARE THE CRITICISMS OF AUSTRALIA TRIVIAL: The UN treaty committees recognise that Australians generally enjoy a high standard of human rights, and they have welcomed the (to date) excellent co-operation of the Australian government. But the committees' task is to identify gaps in the protection of rights in the countries it examines and to focus on those. It is hardly surprising that most of the treaty committees have drawn attention to: 1) the inequalities experienced by indigenous men, women and children in Australia and 2) to the circumstances of the detention of asylum seekers. These issues are not trivial; they currently the subject of much debate in this country. THERE IS NOT INTRUSION INTO DOMESTIC AFFAIRS: The UN treaty committees do not intrude into domestic affairs. They are mandated to assess whether the law and practice in each country meets its treaty obligations. Their recommendations are not legally binding, though they carry considerable moral weight. Nor is it correct to say that human rights issues are better dealt with domestically. The fulfilment of the obligations under human rights treaties, including those of the UN as well as the European Convention and other regional treaties, is a legitimate matter of international concern. Furthermore, many rights protected by UN human rights treaties are not protected under Australian law. NGOs HAVE NO FAVOURED POSITION: The committee system does not give undue weigh to the information provided to them by NGOs, such as Amnesty International, the International Commission of Jurists or the Lawyers' Committee on Human Rights. The main basis of the treaty committees' human rights work is the written report of the government of each country, supplemented by its oral statements and responses to questions. No one else has the right to speak or to take part in the formal proceedings of the committee. Information from NGOs is provided informally, and may result in questions being put to the government on issues which are not explained in its report. Countries, such as Iraq or China, who do not want their government's view to be queried by NGOs will welcome the Australian government's view that their submissions should be downgraded in importance. WOMEN'S RIGHTS HAVE BEEN RELEGATED: By declaring that Australia will not sign or ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) the government undermines this country's commitment to women's rights in all countries, and leaves Australian women without the additional protection of this international recourse. IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED: It is true that the UN treaty committee system needs improvement, that there should be better co-ordination between committees, more focused reporting and increased resources to support the committees' work. I have long been an advocate of such reforms. However, by putting limits on Australia's future co-operation with the treaty committees, the Australian government is undermining the supervisory role of those committees. It is saying, in effect, that it alone will be the arbiter of human rights in Australia, while at the same time reserving to itself the right to enter criticisms of other countries. The UN human rights treaties have evolved from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Let us hope that Australia will quickly move away from its current negative approach, and rekindle its former vision of universal rights guaranteed by the international rule of law. For more information and comment: Elizabeth Evatt fax: 02-9331 6734 E-mail: eevatt@attglobal.net
Law Council adds weight to criticisms The Law Council of Australia has expressed four general concerns about the Government's policy statement regarding the UN treaty committee system. They are:
The Law Council takes issue with the Government's intention to apparently reduce reporting to treaty committees. It finds there is no legal basis for not fulfilling this requirement. It finds Australia's intention to refuse visits by UN treaty committees except for "compelling reasons", both uncertain and vague, as it does with the Government's reference to "unwarranted requests". On the Government's refusal to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Law Council said it did not believe the Government had adequately justified its reasons for refusal. It was both contradictory and illogical. It has called for either parliamentary scrutiny or detailed public consultation instead of the proposed inter-departmental arrangements being proposed. For a full text and comment, call Dr Gordon Hughes, president of the Law Council of Australia (02) 9679 3000 website: www.lawcouncil.asn.au
Meeting sought on 'wheel' comments The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Dr Evelyn Scott and Sir Gustav Nossal will seek a meeting with the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Reconciliation, Philip Ruddock, following his reported statements in Le Monde. Mr Ruddock is reported as saying that Aboriginal progress had been retarded by a lack of contact with Western civilisation and ignorance of the wheel before colonisation. Dr Scott and Sir Gustav said the comments were regrettable and did not help reconciliation. However, the minister's comments would not detract from the outstanding success of "The Reconciliation Games", which had focused world attention on the achievements of Aboriginal people. They said that in the context of the reconciliation theme of the Olympic Games "Minister Ruddock's comments are regrettable but not decisive. If he really meant to explain the social disadvantage of Indigenous people today by the fact that they came into contact with developed civilisations later than other Indigenous peoples, then this is an inaccurate analysis. As our Council and many others have said, today's disadvantage essentially stem from the whole history of dispossession and mistreatment following British colonisation. ..." For more information, call the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (02) 6271 5444 Mr Ruddock's office (02) 6277 7860
NGOs in human rights talks with Minister The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, held discussions with representatives of human rights NGOs at Departmental Consultations yesterday and today. (October 5 and 6). The agenda included reports and discussions on:
Human rights NGOs had made a statement before the consultations about Australian involvement in preparations for the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in South Africa, next year. The Australian Government has not yet begun community consultations about the Conference. The Australian Government has not yet completed a preparatory UN questionnaire (pursuant to CHR resolution 1999/78) distributed to Governments last year. In a statement preparing for the NGO-DFAT talks, Patrick Earle of the Human Rights Council of Australia, said, "Recently here in Australia many of us have been concerned and alarmed to have seen race used by politicians in divisive ways whether in regards to Indigenous people and Indigenous rights, in expressions of intolerance toward people seeking asylum or in discussions around immigration. ..." A call to NGOs to make alert the Government to the need for urgent action is endorsed by:
For more information, call Patrick Earle Tel/Fax (02) 9311 0159 e-mail: pearles@ozemail.com.au Or Human Rights Council of Australia http://www.ozemail.com.au/~hrca
The national coordinating committee for the World March of Women has written to the Prime Minister concerning the Government's recent failures in relation to the UN human rights committee and treaty system and the CEDAW Optional Protocol. The letter said, in part: "It has been extremely unfortunate that, within Australia of late, false and misleading information about the role and function of the UN has been given currency by statements suggesting that members of the CERD, for instance, have been attempting to act beyond their mandate. While it may be politically expedient for politicians in constituent states to apportion blame to the UN in pursuit of short-term domestic goals, it is the case that the community of nations which constitutes the UN is made up of nation states and only of nation states. There is no "higher power" wielding legal authority over any states party. The advice of the eminent members of the UN human rights committees takes the form of recommendations only. When leaders of nation states (and others) criticise the UN for failures of policy and direction, they are apportioning blame to an entity which has no existence apart from that of the states acting together. ... "In addition, the implication in your Government's press statements that in some way NGOs have been given undue audience by UN committees, is out of kilter with the moves over recent decades on the part of successive UN Secretaries General to encourage and increase the participation of civil society in the UN's processes. "In this context, we wish to add the voice of our many NGOs to community calls on your Government to reverse your Government's failure in relation to the CEDAW Optional Protocol. We can only concur with recent public comments by Dame Beryl Beaurepaire when she observed that your Government is serving the women of Australia very poorly by this lapse. ..." Copies of the letter have been sent also to Jocelyn Newman, Minister Assisting the PM for the Status of Women; Rosemary Calder, First Assistant Secretary, Office of the Status of Women; Phillip Ruddock, Minister for Immigration and Minister Assisting on Reconciliation; Daryl Williams, Attorney-General; and Alexander Downer, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Representing more than one million Australian women, the national coordinating committee of the World March of Women (WMW2000) comprises representatives of 19 national women's organisations and constituencies, , including two Indigenous Australian women, one representative of Non-English Speaking Background women and representatives from organisations including the YWCA, United Nations Association of Australia (Status of Women Committee), Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Women's Rights Action Network Australia, Older Women's Network, Australian Council of Trade Unions Women's Network, Women With Disabilities Australia, Women's Electoral Lobby, National Women's Media Centre, Coalition of Activist Lesbians, Union of Australian Women, National Union of Students Women's Committee, Australian Reproductive Health Alliance, Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific and the Baha'i Women's Network. For more information and full text, contact Cathy Picone cathpete@camtech.net.au Or write to GPO Box 2094, Adelaide SA 5001 Signatures are also being collected on-line at the World March Website: www.ffq.qc.ca/marche2000/en/carte.php3 For organisational structure to the demands, access: www.ffq.qc.ca/marche2000
Because Government legislation designed to radically change the composition of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has been held up in the Senate, the Attorney-General, Daryl Williams, has been forced to make temporary appointments under the old legislation. Sex Discrimination Commissioner Susan Halliday, who has been acting Disability Discrimination Commissioner since October last year will continue to act in that capacity until November 1. Similarly, Dr Bill Jonas, currently the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, has been acting Race Discrimination Commissioner since September last year. His extended term as will end on October 1, 2001. The Attorney said he hoped to make an announcement of a full-time Commissioner who "will carry out the functions of the Disability Discrimination Commissioner and the Human Rights Commissioner." According to the Attorney, the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill (No 2), currently blocked in the Senate, would replace HREOC's "current top heavy structure of a president and five commissioners with specific portfolios" by " a more flexible structure with a president and three deputy presidents. The deputy presidents will have broader cross-portfolio responsibilities than the current commissioners." He rejects claims that the Government "is downgrading human rights protection in Australia. ..." For more information, call the Attorney's office: (02) 6277 7300 website: www.law.gov.au
Australia and the UN Transitional Administration of East Timor (UNTAET), as members of the Ministerial Council for the Timor Gap Zone of Cooperation, have agreed that:
In an earlier statement, the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Minchin, welcomed the announcement that the commercial development of a 500km pipeline from Bayu Undan field in the Timor Sea to Darwin was now subject to a letter of intent between Phillips Petroleum and Multiplex Constructions. For more information, call the office of the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources (02) 6277 7580 or John Kjar in his department (02) 6213 7974
Wik determination by negotiation The Federal Court has endorsed on October 3 an agreement reached by native title holders, the Cape York Land Council, State and Commonwealth Governments and the commercial fishing industry in the Wik native title claim. The agreement acknowledges the rights and interests of all parties over approximately 6000 square kilometres of land and water on the western side of Cape York. ATSIC chairman Geoff Clark said, "It is important to note that the original Wik native title claim commenced as a common law action in June 1993, after the Mabo decision but before the original Native Title Act was proclaimed. ..." He said that despite political and legal turmoil over the period, the claimants remained willing to negotiate. "Today is proof that negotiations bring results." For more information, call ATSIC (02) 6261 4000 website: www.atsic.gov.au
Richard Smith has been appointed Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, replacing John McCarthy who has been in Jakarta since February, 1997. Mr Smith was Australia's Ambassador to China from 1996 until February this year. Previously he has been Head of the Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division of the department; he has served on secondment as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence. His earlier diplomatic postings have included New Delhi, Tel Aviv, Manila and Honolulu. Miles Kupa has been appointed Australia's Ambassador to Thailand, replacing William Fisher who has been in Bangkok since December 1997. Mr Kupa has previously served twice in Thailand. He has also served in Egypt, France, Iraq (as Ambassador 1983-86), Indonesia and as Ambassador to the Philippines from 1996-99. He has held senior positions in the department and has served on the Australia-China Council, the Australia-Korea Foundation; the Australia-Japan Foundation; the advisory board of the ANU's Centre for International and Public Law; and the executive board of the Asia-Australia Institute at the University of NSW. Allaster Cox has been appointed Australia's High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, replacing Doug Chester who has filled the position since October 1999. Mr Cox has been Deputy High Commissioner in Kuala-Lumpur since 1998, and has previously served in Jakarta and held senior positions in the department. Peter Hooton has been appointed Australia's High Commissioner to Samoa, replacing Paul O'Callaghan who has been there since January, 1998. Mr Hooton is currently director of the Pacific Regional Section in the department. He has served previously in Suva, Nairobi and Riyadh. For more information, call the department (02) 6261 1555 website: www.dfat.gov.au
Rotary helps last lap on polio eradication Health, humanitarian and business leaders have endorsed a strategic plan for certifying the world polio-free By 2005. They include: Rotary International President Frank Devlyn, TimeWarner Vice-Chairman Ted Turner, WHO Director-General Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy, and actress Mia Farrow, who suffered from polio as a child and whose son, Thaddeus, is paralysed by polio. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan told them on September 27 that the world could win the race against polio so long as health workers were able to vaccinate every child. The strategic plan 2001-2005 for the final chapter of global eradication had begun. Delegates gathered at UN headquarters in New York to galvanise the necessary financial resources and political will to certify the world polio-free in 2005, a target set in 1988. Spearheading the initiative are the WHO, Rotary International (which has raised in excess of $US400 million), the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). The Initiative is supported by national governments; private foundations (such as The UN Foundation and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation); development banks ( The World Bank); donor governments (including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, UK and USA); humanitarian organisations (such as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement) and corporate partners. For more information, call any Rotary branch in Australia
Australia's child rights role needs boost The second Substantive Session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2001 General Assembly special session following up on the 1990 World Summit for Children will take place between 29 January and 2 February 2001 and the Third Session is scheduled for 11-15 June 2001. Tentative dates for the Special Session on Children are September 19, 20, 21 2001. Australian NGOs will be invited to attend these sessions The First Substantive Session was held in New York between 30 May-2 June 2000. The outcomes of the session together with information on next steps are available on UNICEF's website www.unicef.org/ For prepcom dates go to www.unicef.org/specialsession/ Alanna Sherry, Advocacy Manager UNICEF Australia, says, "The Australian Government is in the process of compiling the end-decade national review of World Summit for Children goals. The review is being coordinated by DFAT's Human Rights and Indigenous Issues Section. "UNICEF Australia has had regular updates on the progress of the national level review and feedback on DFAT's intentions vis-a-vis the Special Session. We have provided advice and support in this regard. The draft review will be circulated to NGOs for comment. "UNICEF Australia would welcome increased participation by the Australian Government in the special session. We believe that the special session will provide Australia with an opportunity to take a leadership role in development thinking on women and children's issues and to contribute to setting the agenda for the new millennium on initiatives that address these issues. "In addition, the Global Movement for Children http://www.unicef.org/initiative/ and the activities taking place over the next 12 months will also assist the Australian Government to further refine its own thinking and direction on women and children's issues and will provide possible links for enhanced collaboration with a broad range of bilateral, multilateral and corporate partners". For more information, visit: www.unicef.org/specialsession/ Or call Alanna Sherry (02) 9261 2811 x204 fax: (02) 9261 2844 Australian focal point is Steve Barnes, Human Rights and Indigenous Issues Section, DFAT. (02) 6261 2069. E-mail: stephen.barnes@dfat.gov.au
The Children and Youth Issues Working Group of the Federation of Community Legal Centres will conduct research and hold a conference in November about the human rights of children and young people with funding from the Victoria Law Foundation. The project is entitled: 'The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - what does it mean in Victoria?' In this, the 10th Anniversary of Australia's ratification of the Convention, this is a timely project that will bring together key stakeholders, including young people, workers with young people, funding bodies and policy makers; raise awareness of the Convention and the human rights of children and young people; and develop action strategies to improve compliance with the Articles of the Convention. For more information, call: Fiona McKay or Annie Pettitt, North Melbourne Legal Service Ph. (03) 9328 1885 Fax (03) 9326 5912 E-mail: nmls@vicnet.net.au
Australia will give a further $1 million for food and relief assistance to people affected by civil unrest in the Indonesian provinces of Ambon and the Malukus. The aid will be channelled through Action contre la Faim (AcF), an international NGO in the area. So far Australia has contributed $6.4 million to relief efforts in the Malukus in the past 18 months. For more information, call the Foreign Minister's office (02) 6277 7500 or Fionna Douglas at AusAID (02) 6206 4960 website: www.ausaid.gov.au Australia, NZ aid for flooded Mekong Australia will contribute $A530,00 to the Australian Red Cross to assist flood victims in Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos, supplying emergency food aid, clothing, shelter and household kits as well as medical supplies. New Zealand is donating NZ$100,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross appeal for the Mekong Basin, including Vietnam and Cambodia, following severe flooding in South East Asia. The grant, from New Zealand’s official development assistance emergency and disaster relief allocation, will be used to purchase emergency food and household supplies. For more information, At AusAID, contact Greg Clough (02) 6206 4000 website: www.ausaid.gov.au New Zealand High Commission, Canberra (02) 6270 4211
What are charities? Inquiry appointed The Government has appointed former judge, I.F.Sheppard, of the NSW Supreme Court and of the Federal Court, to head its inquiry into definitional issues related to charitable, religious and community service not-for-profit organisations. Other members are Robert Fitzgerald, Commissioner of Community Services, NSW and former president of ACOSS; and David Gonski, principal of Wentworth Associates and member of the Prime Minister's Community Business Partnership. The announcement by the Prime Minister, John Howard, says the inquiry will examine the legal definition of a charity, set in 1601, in the context of organisations now playing an increasing role in the business and community partnership, in illicit drugs policy areas, welfare reform and the Job Network. The inquiry was requested by the Australian Democrats. For a text of the Prime Minister's statement and terms of reference, access website: www.pm.gov.au Or call Christine Barron, Department of the Treasury (02) 6263 4348. A website for the inquiry is under construction.
The International Youth Parliament 2000 (IYP2000) begins on Saturday, October 21 at 9am to be attended by delegates from 161 countries, together with supporters of the IYP2000 within Australia. The International Youth Parliament 2000 will end with the closing ceremony at the Sydney Opera House on Saturday, October 28. For more information, call Brett Solomon(02) 9264 1399 or e-mail: amandab@sydney.caa.org.au
UN Day service and celebrations On United Nations Day, October 24, those members of United Nations peacekeeping missions who have died upholding the Charter of the United Nations are remembered, and those civil organisations which have participated in the United Nations system are commemorated. This year, a service will be held at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, to commemorate United Nations Day. Beginning at 11am, the ceremony will be conducted at the Stone of Remembrance, the Parade Ground, located at the head of ANZAC Parade, outside the Australian War Memorial. Preceding the United Nations Day service, a flag raising ceremony will be held at 8.30am at the new National Capital Exhibition, Regatta Point, Canberra, focusing on the role of the National Capital as the host city for diplomatic community as well as to celebrate and recognise the commitment to the UN from its member states. On Sunday, October 22 a United Nations Information Day and Concert will be held adjacent to the International Flag Display on the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra. Activities will include an International Family Concert from 10am to 2pm, and a Youth for Unity Concert from 2pm to 5pm. Supporting activities include a Schools' Kite-Flying Competition and a children's mural 'Expressions of Peace'. Face painting, balloon modellers, earthball and parachute games, and inflatable amusements will all be available and free to the public. For more information, call UNAA (ACT Division) 02 6247 4499 or Adrian Kemp (02) 6260 8637 e-mail: akemp@abare.gov.au
Griffith University and Paximus Pty Ltd is holding two-day Peace Operations Negotiation Training Courses in Dili, East Timor on October 30-31, November 2-3, and November 4-5. On the principle that negotiation is the universal medium for all peace operations the course offers a guide for negotiating in (a) preventive diplomacy (b) crisis management (c) peacemaking (d) peacekeeping and (e) peacebuilding based on lively interactive scenarios delivered by highly experienced peacekeepers teaching user-friendly techniques for ‘fourth generation’ peace operations. The intensive course involves skills-based-learning through simulated interactive role playing scenarios, derived from actual compact case studies, which chart the emergence of an hypothetical armed conflict followed by a typical peacekeeping mission. A Certificate of Peace Operation Negotiation will be awarded by Griffith University for attendance. Course in Australia: A similar two-day intensive guide for preventive diplomacy, crisis management, peacemaking and peacekeeping is being held at:
All surplus revenue generated from this course to be applied for the delivery of free Peace Operation Negotiation course in East Timor. For full details of the Australia-based courses and of the East Timor course and tuition fees per participant (which includes the free attendance of a nominated East Timorese person at the Dili course) contact: Susan Lockwood-Lee, Administration Officer Email: s.lockwood-lee@mailbox.gu.edu.au Ph: (07) 3875 3563 Fax: (07) 3875 6634 Website: http://www.gu.edu.au/centre/kceljag/home.html
To mark the mid-point of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education, Curtin University of Technology and the National Committee on Human Rights Education is holding a conference titled "Human Rights: A Fair Go For All" from December 6-8 in Perth, WA. The raison d'être for the conference is to aid the recognition of the importance of human rights education and identify any existing gaps in its current delivery. Prominent national and international speakers will share their views and experiences. Session topics include: Agents of Change: The Media and Human Rights; Regional Initiatives in Human Rights; Reconciliation and Human Rights; Changing Attitudes to Human Rights; and The Future of Human Rights. The conference will discuss case studies; hold panel discussions and special issues sessions Speakers include Vice Chancellor of Curtin University of Technology, Professor Lance Twomey, who will open the conference; former Australian Commissioner Human Rights Chris Sidoti; Robyn Williams, President, Australian Science Communicators; Andre Malan, of The West Australian. In regional discussions, speakers include: Father Sandiawan SJ (TBC) Institut Social, Jakarta; Abid Hassan Minto Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan; Prof Norani Othman and NGO Sisters of Islam, Malaysia; and Rani Jethalani, Advocate Supreme Court of India. Special issues speakers include: Fred Chaney, of the National Native Title Tribunal (Australia); Sir Ronald Wilson, former President Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission; Russell Goldflam, Barrister & Solicitor, Alice Springs; Jackie Huggins, Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, ACT; and Sallybeth Bumbrey, US Consul General, Perth WA On December 8, the theme is "Changing attitudes towards human rights" and speakers include the Federal Attorney General, Daryl Williams; Prof Norani Othman, Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia; Adj. Prof Margaret Reynolds, Chair, Commonwealth Human Rights International Advisory Commission (and National President of UNAA); Justice Christine Wheeler, Supreme Court of Western Australia; Rob Johnson, WA Minister for Citizenship & Multicultural Interests. On the theme "Future directions for human rights" speakers include: Dr Eric Tan, Chairman, Australian Human Rights Education Committee; Justice Einfeld, Supreme Court of Australia; Prof Jim Ife, University of WA; Sister Veronica Brady, University of WA; Prof Hilary Charlesworth, Director, Centre for International and Public Law, Australian National University; Justice Toohey former Justice, High Court of Australia. The closing address will be given by Prof Jo Barker, John Curtin International Institute For more information, call Janferie Williams, John Curtin International Institute Ph: (08) 9266 4235 Fax: (08) 9266 4071 e-mail: williamj@resources.curtin.edu.au
Historian Wayne Renolds, of the University of Newcastle, has written a book on Australia's early interest in nuclear weapons, "Australia's Bid for the Atomic Bomb". It will become available in several weeks. For more details and an order form access: http://www.mup.unimelb.edu.au/catalogue/0_522_84914_8.html Or call Clare Henderson, Medical Association for Prevention of War Ph: (02) 6262 9345 Fax: (02) 6262 9346 clare.henderson@bigpond.com.au
Dr Geoff Caldwell, member of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO in the 1980s and who became the founding Executive Director of the Centre for UNESCO Visiting Fellows at the Australian National University, Canberra, in 1995 died on September 17. *** Former Secretary-General of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO Ian Anderson is currently a Visiting Fellow at the ANU Centre for UNESCO Visiting Fellows. (02) 6279 8584 The new Secretary-General of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO is John Janssen. For more information, call UNESCO Commission in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Scholarship and grants programs The Foundation for Young Australians is inviting applications for its 2001 Robert Riley Scholarship program and Minerals Council Scholarship program, both of which offer scholarships to indigenous young people. Applications are also invited for Centenary Scholarships and Grants and Grants to Organisations, which are open to all young people aged up to 30 and to non-profit organisations. Closing date for applications is Friday, October 20. For more information about these programs contact the Foundation for Young Australians on (02) 9357 2344 or 1800 252 316 (free call from outside Sydney). Fax. (02) 9358 5635 E-mail. anna.sale@ayf.org.au Website: www.youngaustralians.org Or Marg Cranney, Indigenous Leadership Development Program Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Ph: (02) 6246 1170 Fax: (02) 6249 7714 E-mail: mpc@aiatsis.gov.au
The following publications have been distributed in Federal Parliament:
Public hearing on nuclear reactor The Senate Select Committee inquiring into the contract for a new nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights in Sydney, will hold its first public hearing on Monday, October 9 in Parliament House, Canberra, when officers from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and officers from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) will give evidence. The Committee was established on 15 August and has received a number of submissions from the public. The Committee will report in early December. It will consider the need for a new reactor, the process that led to the contract to build it being signed and the adequacy of fuel and waste management plans. The Committee Secretariat Ph: (02) 6277 5755 fax (02) 6277 3122 for information including the full terms of reference is at the website: www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/lucasheights_ctte/index.htm Transcripts of hearings: www.aph.gov.au/hansard UN Wire is a free daily news service sponsored by the United Nations Foundation and its sister organisation, the Better World Fund, which are dedicated to supporting United Nations efforts on behalf of the environment, population stabilisation and children's health. Its reports and the complete issue of each day's UN Wire can be found on the Web at http://www.unfoundation.org The Web version includes hot-links to the complete text of cited articles, a fully searchable archive and easy access to recent issues.
http://www.detya.gov.au/iae/international/AIRSSite/airshome/airshome.htm For more information, contact Steve Price, the site manager, e-mail: Stephen.price@detya.gov.au or phone (02) 6240 9012 Alternative sites for employment opportunities with the United Nations and its field operations and list of professional posts vacancies in the International Civil Service, job classification, salary scales and daily subsistence allowances are at the following websites: (to apply for field employment and to download P-11 application form)
Diary updates, including parliamentary committee hearings To 17 October World March of Women http://www.ffq.qc.ca/marche2000/ October 4-10 World Space Week October 9 World Post Day October 13 International Day for Disaster Reduction October 16 World Food Day www.fao.org and www.wfp.org October 16 — 27 Working Group on the draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples established in accordance with Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/32 - Geneva. October 17 National Press Club lunch, Canberra DIRECTOR-GENERAL WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, DR GRO HARLEM BRUNDTLAND. Info and bookings (02) 6273-3644 e-mail: npc@npc.org.au website http://www.npc.org.au/ October 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty October 18 Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, National Press Club ph 02-6273-3644 e-mail npc@npc.org.au website: www.npc.org.au October 19-28 International Youth Parliament 2000, Sydney. Info: Community Aid Abroad-Oxfam Australia (02) 9264 1399 E-mail Brett Solomon bretts@sydney.caa.org.au or Joanne Hawkins joanneh@sydney.caa.org.au website: www.caa.org.au/parliament October 23—27 "Poverty, Social Welfare and Social Development Challenges for the 21st Century", 29th ICSW International Conference on Social Welfare, Cape Town, Info: Mariza Buys Tel: (+27) (21) 762-8600 Fax: (+27) (21) 762-8606 E-mail: icsw@globalconf.co.za WWW: http://www.globalconf.co.za or http://iscw.co.za October 24-30 Disarmament Week www.un.org/peace October 24 United Nations Day October 24 World Development Information Day www.undp.org October 25 Universal Children's Day Info: www.unicef.org.au and click on UCD October 28 Universal Children’s Day (Australia) November 1 National Press Club lunch, Canberra 'Business As Unusual' MS ANITA RODDICK. Info and bookings (02) 6273-3644 e-mail: npc@npc.org.au website http://www.npc.org.au/ November 2 National Press Club address' Volunteerism: You Can't Measure Courage (from Dili to Sydney)' by Sharon Capeling-Alakija, Executive Coordinator United nations Volunteers Info: (02) 6273-3644 fax (02) 6273-4657 e-mail npc@npc.org.au November 10 —12 Human Rights, Human Wrongs: Bigotry, Government and Social Change in Australia since 1949, at the Humanities Research Centre, ANU, Canberra. Website: www.anu.edu.au/hrc/freilich/activities/conferences_2000/hrhw.html November 10-18 Pan Pacific & South East Asia Womens Association International Conference, Rarotonga Cook Islands. Theme "Ignite the Power of Peace". November 14 International Diabetes Federation & WHO World Diabetes Day November 16 International Day of Tolerance November 17-19 Inaugural Refugee Conference of The Myer Foundation & The Refugee Council Of WA. Info: Jackie King (08) 9440 6970 e-mail: jeznjack@iinet.net.au November 19 Australia/East Timor Aid Walk/Run in aid of East Timor. Info: Caritas (02) 6201 9800 (Canberra) or (02) 9956 5799 (Sydney). November 20 Africa Industrialisation Day www.un.org/Depts/eca November 21 World Television Day www.unesco.org November 27-December 2 World Heritage Committee, Cairns Info: UNESCO Commission (02) 6261 2037 November 29 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People December 1 World AIDS Day www.unaids.org December 1-2 National Conference on Reconciliation, Multiculturalism, Immigration and Human Rights, University of Technology, Sydney, www.Diversity-Conference.com December 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery www.un.org/rights and www.universalrights.net December 3 International Day of Disabled Persons www.who.org.ch/ December 4-6 International Conference on Social Transformations in the Asia Pacific Region. Info: E-mail: capstrans@uow.edu.au Ph: (02) 4221 3780 Fax: (02) 4228 6313 Web: www.uow.edu.au/research/groups/capstrans/conference.html December 4-5 Constructing Law and Disability - ANU, Canberra.Info: www.anu.edu.au/HRC/activities/conferences_2000/marks_jones.html December 6 National Press Club address' by Dr Evelyn Scott, Chair of the Reconciliation Council. Info: (02) 6273-3644 fax (02) 6273-4657 e-mail npc@npc.org.au December 5 International Volunteer Day for Economic & Social Development www.un.org/ecosocdev December 6 Chair Reconciliation Council Dr Evelyn Scott, National Press Club ph 02-6273-3644 e-mail npc@npc.org.au website: www.npc.org.au December 7 International Civil Aviation Day www.cam.org/Icao December 10 Human Rights Day. www.unhchr.ch and http://www.un.org/rights and www.universalrights.net December 11 World Asthma Day. WHO info: e-mail: rozovi@who.ch website: http://www.who.ch/ December 29 International Day for Biological Diversity www.unesco.org 2001 January 8-26, 2001 58th session of UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in New York. April 13 National Press Club address, ATSIC Chairperson Geoff Clark, Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the handing down of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Info: (02) 6273-3644 fax (02) 6273-4657 e-mail npc@npc.org.au June/July 2001 International Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, Geneva. Info: www.un.org/news June 25 UN International Day In Support of Victims of Torture June 26 UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture www.un.org/right s and www.universalrights.net July 8-13 Second International Aviation Safety Management Conference, Hong Kong. Conference website at www.ismf.org August 31-September 7 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, South Africa. To encourage support for activities within Australia towards the Conference, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is posting future e-mail messages concerning the World Conference on the electronic Race Discrimination list. To be listed, send an email to listhreoc@hreoc.gov.au with the message "SUBSCRIBE RACEDISCRIM". Or for more information, contact either Mary Dimech marydimech@hreoc.gov.au or Tim Goodwin timgoodwin@hreoc.gov.au To visit the World Conference on Racism website: http://www.unhchr.ch/html/racism/index.htm
United Nations International Years: This year (2000) is the International Year for the Culture of Peace For a full list of International Years from 1959, call the UN Information Centre, Sydney, (02) 9262 5111 or Fax (02) 9262 5886
If you have a project for the International Year of the Culture of Peace, contact the Conflict Resolution Network which has registered more than 50 projects. People can indicate support for UNESCO's six pledges which are the principles of the International Year for the Culture of Peace: 1. respect all life 2. reject violence 3. share with others 4. listen to understand 5. preserve the planet 6. rediscover solidarity The UNESCO website also has artwork for flyers and posters. For more information: UNESCO website: www.unesco.org/manifesto2000 CRN's Beverley Pavey is seeking comments or feedback: www.crnhq.org/IYCP.html Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (UNESCO Commission) Ian Anderson (02) 6261 2037 Minister for Foreign Affairs (02) 6277 7500 www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/gc/asp/activities.htm Tasmanian IYCP Web address: http://www.tased.edu.au/tasonline/unaa/iycp or call Dr Ian A Newman Phone: (03) 6226-2422; Fax: (03) 6226-2410 Email: ian.newman@utas.edu.au *** For aid agencies which are signatories to the ACFOA Code of Conduct contact ACFOA (02) 6285 1816 e-mail: acfoa@acfoa.asn.au website: www.acfoa.asn.au For the latest on where emergency aid is required, contact ReliefWeb, a project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: www.reliefweb.int e-mail info@dha.unicc.org |