Australia's report on elimination of racial discrimination

The United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD Committee) has asked that Australia submit its 15th, 16th and 17th reports (CERD reports) in one single report. The reports will cover Australia's compliance with its obligations under the UN International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD Convention) (hyperlink to PDF file entitled Treaty2) during the period from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2008.

What do Australia's CERD reports cover?

The reports cover a broad range of issues, including human rights education, cultural diversity, citizenship, and strategies to combat racism. Two key issues include Australia's immigration policies and practices, and the treatment of Indigenous people.

Who contributes?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade prepares Australia's CERD reports, in consultation with other relevant Commonwealth departments. State and Territory Governments, the Australian Human Rights Commission, non-government organisations and individuals are also invited to provide submissions that are taken into consideration in preparing the reports.

Have your say

Interested parties are invited to submit written views on a draft report on Australia's compliance with the CERD Convention (RTF) | (PDF).

Submissions may be emailed to humanrights@dfat.gov.au or sent by mail to:

CERD Report Submissions
Human Rights and Indigenous Issues Section
International Organisations and Legal Division
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
RG Casey Building
John McEwen Crescent
BARTON ACT 0221

Please make it clear on whose behalf you are providing a submission (eg as an individual, or on behalf of an organisation).

Submissions received will be considered by the Government in finalising Australia's 15th, 16th and 17th CERD reports. We encourage you to provide short, focussed submissions that relate directly to Articles 2–7 of the CERD Convention.

The closing date for submissions is 27 March 2009.

What should I read before making a submission?

• CERD Convention text
• Comments by the Government of Australia on the concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination following Australia's appearance before the Committee (PDF) in March 2005
• CERD Committee's Concluding Observations following Australia's appearance before the Committee in March 2005
• Transcript of Australia's appearance before the CERD Committee (PDF) in March 2005
• Australia's 13th and 14th CERD reports (PDF)
• UN Harmonised Guidelines for preparing human rights reports, including CERD reports
• Australia's Common Core Document (NB: This document contains general information that supplements Australia's CERD reports and that will be considered by the CERD Committee along with the CERD reports.)

If you have specific questions concerning the consultation process, please write to us at humanrights@dfat.gov.au.