United Nations Human Rights Day

Last Wednesday (6 December 2006) I attended the celebration of the UN Human Rights Day organised by the Christians for Peace held at the Newcastle City Hall.

The event was ably chaired by Rev Dr Brian Brown and there were a range of speakers, including Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon.

Lee said in part:

Human rights are neither universally upheld nor respected by governments around the world, including Australia's. Over the next decade we are likely to see a huge increase in the number of refugees coming to Australia as climate change alters the global landscape. The Howard Government denied the existence of climate change for too long, and is now denying the possibility of thousands of climate change refugees. The restrictive policies of this government, and their treatment of refugees has contributed to a climate of fear and mistrust. The Australian Greens believe in co-operation, just economic and social development, environmental sustainability and respect for human rights.

No other candidates for Newcastle attended, and only one other candidate, Keith Parsons, Greens candidate for Wallsend, was there.