The United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism will visit Australia next week to gather first-hand information on the situation of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the country.
Mutuma Ruteere says during his visit he will pay special attention to the situation of historically discriminated groups including indigenous populations, persons of African descent, migrants and other vulnerable groups in Australia.
Mr Ruteere will also assess the current trends, manifestations and scope of racism, and follow-up upon the recommendations made in 2001 by the first UN Special Rapporteur on racism, Glèlè-Ahanhanzo
The independent expert, who will visit Australia at the invitation of the Government, will survey the policies on multiculturalism, provisions and measures in place to fight discrimination, and assess the existing challenges to its elimination, while focusing on the implementation of laws, policies and measures undertaken in this regard.
Mr Ruteere's visit will be from the 28th of November of December 2016
"I will seek to engage constructively with the Australian Government as well as with the different State and territorial entities visited on possible ways of ensuring the successful protection, promotion and fulfilment of the rights of the vulnerable groups," he said.
Mr Ruteere's mission will take him to Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Alice Springs, where he will meet with Government representatives both at federal, state and territorial level, the legislative and judicial branches, the Australian National Human Rights Commission, international organisations, NGOs, indigenous organisations and community leaders as well as other individuals working in the field of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
At the end of the visit, the UN Special Rapporteur will share his preliminary conclusions at a press conference on the 5th of December, at the UN Information Centre in Canberra.
The country mission report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2017.