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Late support for UN indigenous charter | The Australian

Late support for UN indigenous charter THE AUSTRALIAN Patricia Karvelas, Political correspondent | March 27, 2009

THE Rudd Government will deliver a statement of support next week for the UN’s charter on indigenous rights, its second major symbolic act after the historic apology to the Stolen Generations.

While the Howard government refused to vote for the declaration at the UN, Labor will honour its election pledge to support the charter in front of hundreds of Aboriginal people in parliament next Friday……………………..

The Government will follow the lead of 20 other countries in voting for the declaration, but provided explanatory statements about elements it believed went too far.

Australian of the Year Mick Dodson, who has been urging the Government to support the declaration, has been concerned the Government’s support would offer “too many riders or qualifications or explanatory statements”. He said yesterday he could not comment until he had seen the Government’s statement.

Mr Dodson has said the federal intervention into remote communities in the Northern Territory breaches many of the declaration’s 46 articles.

The statement of support for the charter comes as Australia seeks a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Late support for UN indigenous charter | The Australian

March 27, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized