NSWCCL made a submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission welcoming its plan to develop a National Anti-Racism Framework.

In particular, we support:

• building a stronger legal framework to improve protections against racial discrimination
• constitutional recognition of First Nations peoples
• implementation of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• effective anti-racism and racial equality initiatives

Our submission noted with concern:

• The concerning resurgence of racism being experienced in Australia and across the globe.
• The injustices experienced by First Nations people, highlighted by the Black Lives Matter movement, especially the alarming number of deaths in custody since the 1991 Royal Commission
• The rise in racially motivated attacks targeting people with Asian backgrounds kindled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This initiative is of key importance given:

• The report of the Royal Commission into the Christchurch attacks noted that efforts to build social cohesion, inclusion and diversity can contribute to preventing or countering extremism, which continues to rise globally.
• The gap between Australia's international obligations and the implementation of those obligations in domestic law.

Our full submission will be published here once it has been released on the AHRC's website.