April 21, 2015
Maori Party calls for Abbott rethink
Tony Abbott’s trip to New Zealand for ANZAC commemorations has sparked a challenge from the Maori Party, who have written to the Australian Prime Minister condemning the forced closure of Aboriginal communities.
Co-leaders Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox say the right of indigenous people to live on their traditional land and to live as a community is an integral part of their identity rather than a mere lifestyle choice.
They say as a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Australia stands to breach article 8 that protects indigenous people from forced assimilation or destruction of their culture.
That includes any form of forced population transfer which has the aim or effect of violating or undermining any of their rights.
They told Mr Abbott his government’s policy to axe funding for remote communities constitutes a return to the flawed policies of the past and will result in the loss of basic human rights such as access to clean water and the right to choose where to live.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com