AU8~ L
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 7 MARCH 1986
The following is an extract of the statement delivered
to the Australian Permanent Representative at the United
Nations, Geneva, H. E. Mr. R. H. Robertson, to the United
Nations Commission on Human Rights, 5 December 1986.
" Human rights violations in Eastern Europe are of
great concern to the Australian Government and
people. A number of minority and ethnic groups,
notably those in the Baltic area of the Soviet Union,
have been subjected to repressive measures for the
non-violent expression of their cultural and
religious convictions. The Australian Government
believes firmly that the basic right of freedom of
expression should be available to all peoples.
Similar principles are at issue in relation to the
Jews in the Soviet Union who are denied the right to
emigrate to Israel. We have noted with satisfaction
the release of Anatoly Shcharansky, but consider that
this should not distract attention from the need for
the Soviet authorities to adopt a more flexible and
humane approach to Soviet Jews wishing to emigrate, a
fundamental right of all citizens.
We also cannot overlook the systematic harassment in
Eastern Europe of certain groups whose views differ
from those of the authorities. Charter 77 of
Czechoslovakia and similar groups in the Soviet Union
whose stated aim is to monitor violations of the
Helsinki Accord in their own countries are cases in
point, as too are academics and trade unionists in
Poland.
The continuing violations of human rights in
Afghanistan which have resulted from the efforts of
the Soviet Union and the present Afghan Government to
subjugate that country's people are of great concern
to this delegation. The description of the human
rights situation in that country contained in the
interim report of the Special Rapporteur prepared forthe
40th session of the General Assembly, is deeply
disturbing. It is regrettable that the Afghan
authorities have so far refused to cooperate with the
Special Rapporteur in his work. We find particularly
disquieting reliable reports we have received of
cases of torture and imprisonment for lengthy periods
of alleged political opponents of the incumbent
regime. We note and share the Special Rapporteur's
conviction that the prolonged nature of the conflict
increases the seriousness of the gross and systematic
violations of human rights in Afghanistan."