Report Out! African Australians experience ‘widespread discrimination’

In Our Words

African Australians experience widespread direct and indirect racism as part of their daily lives – a new report from the Human Rights Commission shows.
 
Race Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, said “The discrimination these people face, which is sometimes inadvertent, takes place across the gamut of life’s experiences, from employment to housing, education, health services and their connection with the justice system.”

The report entitled ‘In our own words – African Australians: A review of human rights and social inclusion issues’ was launched in Melbourne 18 June. It follows three years of consultation with African Australian communities around the country. “This project not only represents the first time that human rights and social inclusion issues for African Australians have been recorded at the national level, it is also the first time that everyday experiences are being told from the viewpoint of African Australians themselves, in a human rights context,” said Commissioner Innes.

The report presents issues, solutions and best practice initiatives, identified by African Australians throughout these consultations, as well as observations and suggestions from other government and non-government stakeholders. In our words – African Australians: A review of human rights and social inclusion issues is available online at the Australian Human Rights Commission website at: www.humanrights.gov.au/africanaus/