Human Rights are generally respected in Australia. The country received a glowing human rights report from the US State Department last year. However, Australia is not without problems, the most pernicious of which seems to be the pervasive deaths of Aborigines when in custody by the Australian government. Over 100 aborigines have died in custody since 1989. Discrimination against aborigines is also systematic, their rates of arrest and misstreatment are several times larger than those for non-aborigines. Other problems in Australia have included the imprisonment of a political activist, and the passage of anti-gay legislation.

Reports

Report by the US State Department

For 1996

Too many open questions: Stephen Wardle's death in police custody

Amnesty International, Oct. 1996

Press Releases by Amnesty International

From 1996 on

Reports by International Bodies

Core Document on Australia
Facts about the country

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

6.3.93

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

5.31.95

4.12.94

This page is maintained by Mike Katz-Lacabe and Margarita Lacabe. Last updated Feb. 18, 1997.