Government ignores report of racist abuse

Jules Andrews

Australian Muslims and Arabs are concerned about the increased 
racism and harassment they have been experiencing since September 
2001, a new Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission report 
has found. However, this upsurge in racism does not appear to 
concern the Federal Government.

The IsmaZ — Listen project was launched in March 2003 in 
response to increasing concerns expressed by Arab and Muslim 
organisations about the rise in anti-Arab and anti-Muslim 
prejudice in Australia.

The majority of the 1423 participants in the project reported 
experiencing various forms of prejudice ranging from offensive 
remarks to physical violence.

Respondents said that racist abuse escalated after the "9/11" 
attacks in New York in 2001 and the Bali bombings of October 
2002. National events such as the growing numbers of asylum 
seekers from the Middle East and Muslim countries and the trial, 
conviction and sentencing of gang rapists in Sydney in 2001-2002 
were also identified as factors.

Participants felt that those most at risk were readily 
identifiable as Arab or Muslim because of their dress, physical 
appearance or name.

Muslim women who wear traditional Islamic dress were especially 
afraid of being abused or attacked, and many said they have 
restricted their movements and become more isolated since 
September 11.

Most experiences described by participants were unprovoked, "one 
off" incidents from strangers on the street, on public transport, 
in shops and shopping centres or on the roads. However, 
participants also reported experiencing different forms of 
prejudice from people known to them in the workplace, at school, 
universities or colleges and from neighbours.

Discrimination in the provision of some government services, 
particularly police services, was also reported.

Many Arab and Muslim youth felt that they were particularly at 
risk of harassment, which has led to an increasing distrust in 
authority.

These experiences are having a profound impact on Arab and Muslim 
Australians, with many saying they now live in fear and isolated 
from the wider community.

Respondents said their reluctance to complain about racist abuse 
and violence to police or government organisations was due to 
fear of victimisation and low expectation that there would be a 
satisfactory outcome from the complaint.

Government mute

Not surprisingly the report was released with little fanfare from 
the media and to no official government response.

Attorney General Philip Ruddock declined to respond personally on 
the Report's recommendation that new laws protecting citizens 
from discrimination and vilification be introduced and existing 
laws strengthened.

Instead a Department spokesperson merely stated the Government 
would tackle racism through education, and not with increased 
legal protection.

There was no official response to the HREOC report from the 
Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous 
Affairs. (The combining of these three portfolios into one 
department itself a pointer to the importance the Government 
places on each.)

However, on the very same day a press release from Minister 
Amanda Vanstone proclaimed: "Eighteen illegal vineyard workers 
located near Mildura".

Earlier in the week, in response to the "Free The Refugees" 
protest on Channel 10's Big Brother, Ms Vanstone also 
declared: "Government committed to detention regime".

The Howard Government declines to comment on rising racism and 
religious hatred because the Government is directly responsible 
for it.

The 2001 election was won as the Government whipped up racist and 
xenophobic hysteria under the guise of "border protection".

While the media headlines scream "gang violence" and "terrorism 
attacks" our governments continue to dismantle our public health 
and education systems and pass anti-union legislation.

The new "anti-terror" laws introduced by Federal and State 
Governments received public backing under the mistaken belief 
that it would be used to target Islamic extremist organisations.

However, the laws now in place will allow governments to silence 
anti-government dissent from any individuals or organisations 
they see as a threat — trade unions, peace organisations, 
Indigenous activists, and left and progressive political parties.

Australia went to war under the banner of saving the world from 
"Arab terrorists" and "Islamic extremists", hiding its true 
intent of plundering Iraq's oil resources.

Racism is a tool used by governments as they edge towards fascism 
to distract, divide and ultimately crush the working class.