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Australia’s ‘Historic Apology’ To Its Aborigines

February 13th, 2008
By SWARAAJ CHAUHAN, International Columnist

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Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday led the nation in apologising to the 460,000 Aborigines (that comprise 2% of country’s population) for “past injustices” towards them, including the forced assimilation of tens of thousands of Aborigines known as the ‘Stolen Generations’. Mr Rudd received a standing ovation from MPs and onlookers in parliament, and cheers from the thousands of Australians watching outside, when he said this step would help “remove a great stain from the nation’s soul”.

An official commission, which reported to Parliament in 1997, said that the assimilation policy amounted, under international law, to genocide and demanded a national apology, reports The Times. “The apology was directed especially at Aborigines forcibly taken from their families as children in assimilation policies that lasted from the mid-1800s until 1970, during which time up to a third of Aboriginal children were ’stolen’.

“The moment was followed live around the country, in cities, towns and Outback settlements, and brought an outpouring of relief. Thousands of Aborigines had travelled to Canberra, the national capital, for the event and the public gallery in Parliament was packed.” More here…

“Australia has no Aboriginal members in parliament, but 100 leaders of the community and members of the Stolen Generations were present for the historic apology, ” says the BBC.
“Former Prime Minister John Howard refused for over a decade to apologise to the Stolen Generations - a stance supported, polls suggest, by about 30% of Australians.”

More here…

In 1995 the aboriginal flag, its golden sun and black and red background representing Australia’s sunburnt land and aboriginal people, becomes an official flag in Australia. For more interesting facts please click here…



This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 at 5:50 am and is filed under Poverty, Social Commentary, Australia, Minorities. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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