This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8223881.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UN condemns Aboriginal treatment UN condemns Aboriginal treatment
(about 1 hour later)
A senior United Nations human rights official has criticised Australia's measures to fight child abuse and alcoholism in Aboriginal communities.A senior United Nations human rights official has criticised Australia's measures to fight child abuse and alcoholism in Aboriginal communities.
Prof James Anaya said the measures were discriminatory and stigmatised Aboriginal communities. Prof James Anaya said the measures were discriminatory and stigmatised indigenous people.
He spoke after a tour of indigenous townships prompted by complaints over racism in the government intervention. He spoke after a tour of Aboriginal townships prompted by complaints that the government intervention was racist.
The restrictions include rules on how welfare payments can be spent and a ban on alcohol and hard core pornography.The restrictions include rules on how welfare payments can be spent and a ban on alcohol and hard core pornography.
Dozens of townships in Australia's Northern Territory were taken over by federal authorities in 2007, and the government suspended the Racial Discrimination Act to allow the controversial policy to be implemented. The intervention was launched under the conservative government of former Prime Minister John Howard, but was kept largely in place by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after he took office in 2007.
Dozens of townships in Australia's Northern Territory were taken over by the federal authorities, and the government suspended the Racial Discrimination Act to allow the controversial policy to be implemented.
These measures overtly discriminate against Aboriginal peoples Prof James AnayaThese measures overtly discriminate against Aboriginal peoples Prof James Anaya
The intervention was launched under the conservative government of former Prime Minister John Howard, but kept largely in place by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after he took office in 2007. Medical staff and social workers were also deployed as part of the intervention, in an attempt to combat violence and the rampant abuse of children in some Aboriginal communities.
Medical staff and social workers were also deployed as part of the intervention, in an attempt to combat violence and the rampant abuse of children in some Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territories.
Treaties 'broken'Treaties 'broken'
Professor Anaya, the United Nations Rapporteur on Indigenous People, said there was "entrenched racism" in Australia and the ongoing intervention in the Northern Territories continued such discrimination.Professor Anaya, the United Nations Rapporteur on Indigenous People, said there was "entrenched racism" in Australia and the ongoing intervention in the Northern Territories continued such discrimination.
"These measures overtly discriminate against Aboriginal peoples, infringe their right of self-determination and stigmatise already-stigmatised communities," Prof Anaya said in Australia's capital Canberra. "These measures overtly discriminate against Aboriginal peoples, infringe their right of self-determination and stigmatise already-stigmatised communities," Prof Anaya said in Australia's capital, Canberra.
Mr Anaya, an American professor of human rights law, visited Australia at the request of indigenous groups, church leaders and social justice organisations.Mr Anaya, an American professor of human rights law, visited Australia at the request of indigenous groups, church leaders and social justice organisations.
Alcohol and poverty have blighted many Aboriginal communitiesAlcohol and poverty have blighted many Aboriginal communities
Some campaigners have argued the measures violate human rights because they only target Aborigines. Some campaigners have argued that the measures violate human rights because they only target Aborigines.
After touring some of Australia's most disadvantaged communities, Prof Anaya agreed with those arguments.After touring some of Australia's most disadvantaged communities, Prof Anaya agreed with those arguments.
"As currently configured and carried out, the emergency response is incompatible with Australia's obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - treaties to which Australia is a party - as well as incompatible with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples." "As currently configured and carried out, the emergency response is incompatible with Australia's obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - treaties to which Australia is a party - as well as incompatible with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples," he said.
A recent study has found that the gap between non-indigenous Australians and their Aboriginal counterparts was growing for issues such as child abuse and domestic violence. A recent study found that the gap between non-indigenous Australians and their Aboriginal counterparts was growing on issues such as child abuse and domestic violence.
Prime Minister Rudd said it was "a devastating report" on an unacceptable situation.Prime Minister Rudd said it was "a devastating report" on an unacceptable situation.
Shortly after taking office, Mr Rudd made a formal apology for the past wrongs caused by successive governments on the indigenous Aboriginal population.Shortly after taking office, Mr Rudd made a formal apology for the past wrongs caused by successive governments on the indigenous Aboriginal population.
But there is still resentment among Aboriginal Australians at Mr Rudd for not reversing the intervention, says the BBC's Sydney correspondent Nick Bryant. But there is still resentment at Mr Rudd among Aboriginal Australians for not reversing the intervention, says the BBC's Sydney correspondent, Nick Bryant.