Fed: Howard likely to continue criticism of UN in New York

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2000
Fed: Howard likely to continue criticism of UN in New York

CANBERRA, Aug 30 AAP - The government's position on UN Human Rights investigations
set a dangerous precedent that other nations may use to justify ignoring UN treaties,
Australian Democrats leader Meg Lees said today.

Senator Lees said she was absolutely appalled by the government's reaction to UN criticism
on Australia's treatment of Aborigines and asylum seekers.

She also said Prime Minister John Howard was likely to continue his criticism of the
world body when he travels to New York next week.

Mr Howard will be in New York for the United Nations Millennium Summit, a three-day
meeting of world leaders to discuss the role and future of the UN.

Yesterday, the government announced it would veto nearly all visits by UN human rights
investigators in response to critical findings about Australia's conduct towards Aborigines
and asylum seekers.

Senator Lees said she was appalled by the government's response to the criticism.

"We've taken our bat and ball and gone home because we've had some criticism," she
told journalists.

"Are they such delicate petals that they can't take legitimate criticism."

She said she thought Mr Howard should be embarrassed about the government's reaction
when he visited New York.

"But given the venom and given the strength of their opposition to a United Nations
treaty organisation that in anyway criticises Australia I presume he is going to give
them another serve."

The government's position set a dangerous precedent that other nations may use to justify
ignoring UN treaties, she said.

"I think they are running a real risk of de-stabilising the UN treaty process because
if we pull out, one of the better nations, one of the nations that has actually got quite
a good reputation for human rights then what does that say to those countries that are
killing their citizens on sight and shooting people who belong to the wrong political
party?" Senator Lees asked.

"I think it is an incredibly dangerous precedent that they've set."

Senator Lees also questioned the government's motive for refusing to sign the UN treaty
against the discrimination of women.

"What are they planning in Australia that they will not sign that?" she asked.

By refusing to sign the treaty, the government denies Australian women the right to
take any cases of discrimination to the UN.

"Basically this government is saying we want to have the right to do whatever we like
to our citizens, we don't want them having any right of appeal," she said.

AAP eg/arb

KEYWORD: UN AUST LEES

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