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| The National Magazine of the United Nations Association of Australia ISSN 1035-218X No 141 Editor: Ian Mathews
UN issues and the Coalition The Coalition has published its foreign policy for the general election which draws attention to its attitude to the United Nations and Australiaās obligations and responsibilities as a member-nation. A summary of relevant points is published below: Reforming the United Nations: The Coalition is a firm supporter of the United Nations system, but believes the present system could be made more effective. ...The Coalition believes that there is an element missing in the present discussion on reform. The existing electoral group system contains many anomalies and inequities that constitute powerful arguments for change. The Coalition will continue to promote a reconfiguration of the existing United Nations electoral group system to reflect better contemporary global realities. Security Council: ...The Coalition supports significant reform in the composition and work practices of the Security Council, including permanent membership for Japan and Germany ÷ respectively the second and third largest economies in the world. Peacekeeping Operations: The Coalition supports a peacekeeping role for the UN in appropriate circumstances. A Coalition Government will continue to support Australian involvement in United Nations peacekeeping operations that are consistent with our security interests and international obligations. ... [and] will maintain Australiaās commitment of Federal Police to the United Nations Force in Cyprus. Development Cooperation: The Coalition is committed to Australia assisting developing countries meet the challenges of development. Australiaās aid program, by addressing the needs of the worldās most disadvantaged and by promoting human rights, is a clear statement of Australian values and a reflection of the generosity shown by Australians to those in need. ... Through the aid program the Coalition is also addressing many threats to Australiaās prosperity such as HIV/AIDS, illegal migration, refugee flows, global environment problems and narcotics. ... Aid program: The Coalition will continue to support the United Nations 0.7 per cent Official Development Assistance to Gross National Product ratio target [currently 0.27 per cent of GNP] and endeavour to maintain Australiaās aid program at the highest level consistent with the needs of our aid partner countries and our own economic circumstances and capacity to assist. ...The five key priority sectors for Australiaās aid will be health, education, infrastructure, rural development and governance.
New policy frameworks will be developed in the areas of health, agriculture and rural development and private sector development. Increasing womenās access to education, health care and economic resources and the promotion of the human rights of women will continue to be a priority. ... [support for] projects that directly target the environment and will ensure projects are implemented consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. Multilateral agencies: The Coalition will provide significant support for the important development role of multilateral development agencies on the basis of the extent to which each agencyās mandate contributes to meeting Australiaās aid objective, and the efficiency and effectiveness of the agency. Demining: ... to provide $100 million by 2005 to contribute to international efforts to rid the world of the scourge of landmines: In particular the Coalition will introduce an innovative "destroy a minefield" initiative that will enable schools, community groups, business and individuals to contribute directly to the clearance of landmines Non-Government Organisations: The Coalition will continue to build partnerships with non-governmental organisations involved in delivering overseas aid. In particular the Coalition will develop a statement of policy principles outlining the integral role non-government organisations play in the delivery of Australian aid Child Labour: increase assistance for dealing with the problem of child labour, in response to the Oslo Agenda for Action on Child Labour to which Australia is a signatory. Human Rights: The Coalitionās strategies to improve international human rights include support the activities of the Centre for Democratic Institutions and the International Criminal Court; and to support the establishment of independent and pluralistic national human rights institutions in countries in our region. East Timor: ...The Coalition supports a reduction in the armed forces presence and greater autonomy for the people of East Timor and will continue to support all parties maintaining a dialogue leading to a resolution of this problem. The Environment: The Coalition is committed to protecting the worldās environment and ensuring that Australiaās resources are used efficiently and sustainably. This does not mean Australia should sign on to international environmental treaties that will damage Australiaās national interests. ... Disarmament: The Coalition will continue to promote rapid and widespread ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty; implement its initiative of strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention, through the convening of a high level meeting and establishing a National Advisory Group of Experts; continue to work for the commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament for a ban on the transfer, use, manufacture and stockpiling of landmines, to engage those countries remaining outside the Ottawa Treaty in the search for a truly global response to the landmines problem; continue to work actively for the commencement of negotiations for a treaty to ban the production of fissile material for weapons purposes. For the full text, contact any Coalition candidate or ph: (03) 9229 4300 or access website: www.liberal.org.au ALP and Democrat policies follow ALP on human rights The Australian Labor Party has issued a statement on "Human Rights Diplomacy" titled Acting on Principle. Much of the ALPās foreign policy is already published in the resolutions passed at the partyās conference earlier this year [Visit the ALPās pre-campaign website: www.alp.org.au. In addition, an overview of foreign affairs will be included in the partyās official campaign "launch" on Wednesday. Labor's spokesman for Foreign Affairs, Laurie Brereton, said East Timor was a key foreign policy priority. If elected to Government, Labor promised to pursue human rights as a core foreign policy objective, with the following undertakings: East Timor: Give high priority to the issue of East Timor and pursue every opportunity to encourage a just and lasting settlement; maintain a forthright position on the question of East Timorese self-determination; seek the immediate and unconditional release of Xanana Gusmão; appoint a Special Envoy on East Timor to actively encourage negotiation of a settlement; and increase Australian development and human rights assistance for East Timor. Ambassador for Human Rights: Labor will appoint an Ambassador for Human Rights with responsibility for advancing Australia's human rights objectives in the United Nations, other multilateral fora and in regional and bilateral dialogue; and who will provide a focus for the development of policy and programs for the advancement of human rights, including consultation with human rights non-government organisations in Australia and overseas. Human rights approach to overseas aid: Labor will develop a new human rights focussed approach to overseas development assistance explicitly directed toward the realisation of human rights, including though establishment of a human rights framework for AusAID; inclusion of human rights issues in development assistance policy dialogue between Australia and recipient countries; incorporation of relevant international human rights conventions and principles into aid project design; and in consultation with relevant NGOs, review of existing policy on conditionality of overseas development assistance. Human Responsibilities: Labor will give consideration to the draft Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, but is concerned that any final document should reinforce the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in no way undermine or diminish its status as the keystone of the UN framework for the protection and promotion of human rights. Human rights in the Asia Pacific: Labor will allocate an additional $9 million over 3 years to support human rights programs in the Asia Pacific, including technical cooperation and direct assistance for national human rights institutions, support for the development and implementation of national human rights action plans, human rights education and training, and institution building. Regional Centre: Recognising the links between human rights abuse and unresolved political and social conflict, Labor will allocated $4 million to establish a Regional Centre for Human Rights Dialogue and Conflict Resolution to promote regional dialogue and cooperation on human rights issues; serve as a centre of excellence in applied policy and research, and will seek to develop a regional role as a mediator and facilitator in the fields of human rights and conflict resolution. Continued next page Sanctions on Burma: In the absence of any significant improvement in human rights conditions and progress toward the establishment of democratic freedoms, Labor will: actively discourage Australian trade with Burma, including closure of the Austrade office in Rangoon; discourage Australian companies from doing business in Burma, and ban new Australian investment in Burma; actively discourage Australian citizens from visiting Burma for business and tourism; suspend the issue of visas for visits to Australia by Burmese officials and other persons associated with the military regime; and put the Burmese military regime on notice that diplomatic relations will be downgraded in the event of further deterioration of the human rights situation. In addition, the document lists other human rights issues for the ALP in Government: šMake support for human rights an integral part of Australia's response to the consequences of the Asian economic crisis; šIncrease funding for grass-roots human rights projects; šImprove transparency and accountability of Australia's bilateral human rights dialogues. šGive strong support to the International Labour Organisationās work to protect and advance core labour rights; šIncrease Australia's support for the international campaign against child labour exploitation; šAdopt a strengthened export control test to ensure Australian defence equipment is not used by foreign governments to violate human rights; šMove to ratify the Ottawa landmines ban Convention as a high priority; šPublish a comprehensive report on Australia's international human rights activities. Full text available from ALP candidates or Ph: 1800 647 049 E-mail: natsect@alp.org.au Democrats on human rights The Australian Democrats have published three policies relating to UN issues: A Commitment to Human Rights; Protecting Our Environment; and Tolerance or Intolerance - A multicultural policy. On human rights, the Democrats say: East Timor: It is time to challenge Indonesiaās integration of East Timor; Australia should repeal the East Timor Gap Treaty; support for a referendum on self-determination; call for an international investigation into human rights abuses in East Timor; withdrawal of Australian military aid to Indonesia; and release of all political prisoners including Xanana Gusmao. Tibet: Call on Australian Government to sponsor the UN resolution condemning China on human rights abuses in Tibet; and call for release of all political prisoners. Burma: Democrats call for the closure of the AusTrade office in Burma. Landmines: Australia should push for landmines to be included on the list of weapons monitored by the UNās arms register, and for breaches of international conventions covering landmines to be heard under international criminal law. The Democrats have policies also on human rights and business; not sign the Multilateral Agreement on Investment unconditionally; move back to multilateral agreements on human rights rather than bilateral agreements. On environmental issues, the Democrats have published an Environmental Charter as well as formulated a policy on land protection; threatened species and ecosystems; work in accordance with obligations to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; a transport policy to encourage the use of public transport and bicycles; air and water quality programs; reduction of noise pollution and of hazardous chemicals and toxic wastes; phase out of native forest logging and wood chip exports; ban the use of uranium for fuel and close all existing uranium mines. The policy also covers coastal protection and oceans; wilderness, national parks, reserves and World Heritage Areas; animal welfare, genetic engineering and species patenting; and population. For texts see any Australian Democrat candidate or call (02) 6273 1059. Fax: (02) 6273 1251 E-mail: inquiries@democrats.org.au Website: www.democrats.org.au Question your candidates To help readers find party political information on topics of specific interest, we publish contact points for the political parties: Australian Democrats: National Office (02) 6273 1059 or reverse charge call to any Democrat senator. Fax: (02) 6273 1251 E-mail: inquiries@democrats.org.au Australian Council for Overseas Aid (02) 6285 1816 ACROD, National Industry Association for Disability Service (02) 6282 4333 fax (02) 6281 3488 E-mail: acrodnat@acrod.org.au Australian Council of Social Service for tax reform analyses (02) 9310 4844 Australian Local Government Association (02) 6281 1211 Website: http://www.alga.com.au Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform (02) 6254 2961 Correction UNHCR website: http://www.unhcr.ch Read on for publications, jobs, UNYA website and diary dates ATSIC publishes 'It's a fact' In an election atmosphere in which attacks by the Coalition parties and One Nations have targetted ATSIC and Aboriginal spending, ATSIC has published a series of fact sheets on "where the money has gone" "community development projects", "community housing and infrastructure program", and "A clear account" on audit practices. For more information, call ATSIC Public Affairs (02) 6289 1222 Articles and publications The UNDPās bi-annual Cooperation South includes a critical analysis of the OECDās Multilateral Agreement on Investment and its possible parallel, the WTOās Multilateral Investment Agreement, by Martin Khor, director of the Third World Network. For more information, e-mail the magazineās editor-in-chief: john.ohiorhenuan@undp.org A volume of 24 appendices to Building on Land Rights for the Next Generation: The Review of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 by John Reeves QC, 1998, (ISBN 064 258 8031) has been published by the Commonwealth. Aspects covered include an overview of the Actās operation; regional socio-economic similarities and differences among Aboriginal people in the NT; Aboriginal views about the meaning of traditional ownership; Land Council regions; disposition of land claims as it April 1, 1998; categorisation of outstanding claims; sacred site comparison data; summary of royalty associations; issues of compulsory acquisition; inconsistencies between the Land Rights Act and the Local Government Act 1993; the issue of Statehood for the NT including a draft constitution with amendments; Native Title Tribunal applications; commercial use of freehold title; "How uncertainty and delays destroy wealth creation by the mining industry"; plus copious references. For more information call Australian Government Printing Service in capital cities; or your public library. UNYA on the net The United Nations Youth Association is on the Internet. The new website aims to inform members of what the executive and other divisions are doing, but also to promote UNYA to the wider community. The website address is: www.internetjump.com/unya UNAIDS vacancies The closing date for the following UNAIDS applications is 14 October, 1998. UNA/P/98/25 - Country Program Adviser, Kathmandu, Nepal, P.5, Department of Country Planning and Program Development UNA/P/98/27 - Senior Planning and Budget Officer, Geneva, Switzerland, P.5, Program Support Department For more information about these vacancies, e-mail: jimenezm@who.ch All vacancies are notified on the UNAIDS Homepage: http://www.unaids.org
unwra vacancy United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East Vacancy Notice No . VN/22/98 Deadline for Applications: 20 October 1998 Position Title: Comptroller Level (Grade) D-1 Duty Station: HQ Gaza QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: University degree at an advanced level in accounting, finance, business administration or related field; membership in a professional body of accountants (e.g. Institute of Chartered Accountants, Institute of Certified Public Accounts); 15 yearsā experience; fluency in English essential, working knowledge of written and spoken Arabic and French desirable. REMUNERATION at D-1 level: Without Dependents $US79,835 With Dependents $US86,358 (includes annual post allowance) Send detailed curriculum vitae to: Head Recruitment Section (VN/22/98) P.O. Box 371 Gaza City or UNRWA HQ P.O. Box 140157 Amman 11183, Jordan or UNRWA P.O. Box 700, A-1400 Vienna, Austria Diary dates September 24 Election candidates on MAI 6pm to 8pm Y on the Park Conference Centre Fourth Floor, YWCA Building, Whitlam Square, Cnr Oxford & Commonwealth St Opposite Hyde Park, Sydney Info: (02) 9283-2004 E-mail: mwbenson@one.net.au September 26 UNAA (Qld) hosts International Year of the Ocean Asia-Pacific Conference, Brisbane Convention Centre. Info: Ph/fax (07) 3356 2828 E-mail: unaaqld@powerup.com.au September 27 UNAA council meeting, Brisbane Info: (07) 3356 2826 September 30 National Council of Churches in Australia Refugee Sunday in Tasmania. Information: Gabrielle Cullen on (02) 9299 2215 or e-mail: nccasyd@peg.apc.org September 30 Native Title (Amendment) Act comes into force. Information, Special Minister of State, Senator Minchin, (02) 6277 7600 and ATSIC (02) 6289 1222 October 1 International Day of Older Persons 1st Monday Oct World Habitat Day October 3 Federal election October 6 World Food Day "Women feed the world" 2nd Wed Oct International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction October 9 World Post Day October 11-17 Refugee Week, organised by the Refugee Council and Austcare (02) 9565 9111 October 16 World Food Day October 17 International Day for the Eradication of Poverty October 23 UNAAās Media Peace Award presentations, Grand Hyatt, Melbourne. Info: UNAA (Vic) (03) 9482 3655 October 23 3rd Worldwide Vigil for the UN(02)6254 1111 or Global Policy Forum at www.globalpolicy.org 24 October United Nations Day 24 October World Development Information Day 24-30 October Disarmament Week October 28 Universal Childrenās Day October 30 Amendments relating to Native Title Representative Bodies will come into effect. Information, Special Minister of State, Senator Minchin, (02) 6277 7600 and ATSIC (02) 6289 1222 November 2-13 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, 4th session, Buenos Aires 14 November International Diabetes Federation / WHO World Diabetes Day 16 November International Day of Tolerance 20 November Africa Industrialisation Day 21 November World Television Day 29 November International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People November 30-December 11 Conference of the Parties to the International Convention on Desertification, subsidiary bodies, Dakar, Senegal. 1 December World AIDS Day 2 December International Day for the Abolition of Slavery 3 December International Day of Disabled Persons December 4 - 8, XIIIth World Congress of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, University of Melbourne. Conference info: (03) 9486 6078 e-mail:mapw@ozemail.com.au 5 December International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development 7 December International Civil Aviation Day December 10 UN General Assembly commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Human Rights Day) 29 December International Day for Biological Diversity
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