FED: Political leaders celebrate human rights anniversary

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-1998
FED: Political leaders celebrate human rights anniversary

By Debra Way

CANBERRA, Dec 10 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today defended Australia over human
rights, saying the country needed to promote its record of democracy.

But Mr Howard said there was no point in hectoring other countries about human rights as
more could be achieved in quiet negotiations behind the scenes.

And he conceded there were still problems in Australia, particularly in relation to
Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

"I dont pretend for a moment our human rights record has been without blemish," Mr Howard
told parliament on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"I dont pretend for a moment that continued areas of poverty and deprivation and
disadvantage within our society in 1998 dont represent some diminution of the human rights of
the people who comprise those particular groups."

Political leaders of all sides observed the anniversary by publicly reaffirming their
commitment to the principles in the declaration.

Mr Howard, Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, Australian Democrats leader Meg Lees and National
Party leader Tim Fischer joined members of the Amnesty International Parliamentary Group for
the ceremony.

Earlier, in parliament, Mr Howard lauded Australias record on human rights.

"At home Australia has built a society which places the utmost importance on the values of
decency, fairness and tolerance, respect for the rights and freedoms of others is a continuing
hallmark of our nation," he said.

"Our record in this regard is second to none and as prime minister I am always proud to
promote it internationally."

Mr Beazley used the anniversary to highlight the plight of Malaysias sacked deputy Anwar
Ibrahim.

Anwar did not deserve to be persecuted and his court case was a test for human rights, Mr
Beazley said.

"Whatever the consequences of the court processes which are underway at the moment, the
Malaysian government does need to comprehend that on both sides of politics in Australia this
is an issue that is being watched very carefully," he said.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer also turned the spotlight on Asia when he addressed a
human rights conference in Sydney.

"For too long there have been people in Asia and elsewhere who have clung to the misguided
notion of Asian values as a justification for clamping down on democratic movements or the
natural inclination of people to participate in the democratic process," Mr Downer said.

Governor-General Sir William Deane presented the prestigious Human Rights Medal for 1998 to
Greek Australian Vivi Germanos-Koutsounadis who has devoted three decades to human rights
advocacy and welfare work.

And the Australian Council for Overseas Aid awarded its 1998 Human Rights Award to former
diplomat and human rights activist James Dunn.

AAP daw/mfh/it/de

KEYWORD: RIGHTS NIGHTLEAD

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