Essay Topic : Is Australia a racist country? Critically discuss.

Things to consider

Indigenous Australians (past and present)White Australia PolicyImmigration Restriction Act 1901Australia and Human Rights TreatiesRacism (individual and institutional)Refugees and Asylum seekersDiversity and inclusionMulticulturalism (the benefits-foods, festivals, etcRacial Discrimination Act 1975Fair Work Act 2009Victorian legislationVictoria Equal Opportunity Act 2010Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001National security, terrorism and crimeRacial profilingStrategies to combat racismImmigration policies

CULTURAL RIGHTS

Every human being has the right to culture, including the right to enjoy and develop cultural life and identity.Cultural rights, however, are not unlimited.The right to culture is limited at the point at which it infringes on another human right.No right can be used at the expense or destruction of another, in accordance with international law.This means that cultural rights cannot be invoked or interpreted in such a way as to
justify any act leading to the denial or violation of other human rights and fundamental freedoms.Therefore, claiming cultural relativism as an excuse to violate or deny human rights is an abuse of the right to culture.There are limitations on cultural practices, even on well-entrenched traditions. For example, no culture today can legitimately claim a right to practise slavery.Despite its practice in many cultures throughout history, slavery today cannot be considered legitimate, legal or part of a cultural legacy entitled to protection in any way.All forms of slavery, including contemporary slavery-like practices, are a gross violation of human rights under international law.Similarly, cultural rights do not justify murder, torture, genocide, discrimination on grounds of sex, race, language or religion or violation of any of the other universal human rights and fundamental freedoms established in international law.Universal human rights do not impose one cultural standard, rather one legal standard of minimum protection necessary for human dignity.

Referencing Style : BV Harvard