Heartbreaking stories have convinced the human rights watchdog that racism is entrenched in the Australian community and a society-wide response is needed to end this marginalization.
Systemic experiences of racial discrimination in health services, schools, workplaces and during interactions with police have led the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to step up calls for a national framework for combating racism.
Respondents reported feeling that their cultural background affected the quality of health care they received from professionals, while others reported feeling unsafe at school in due to discrimination by teachers.
Racism was widespread regardless of age, sexuality, faith, disability or cultural background, the commission found.
AHRC Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman said first-hand accounts revealed racism in Australia was “pervasive, insidious and deeply damaging”.
“The racism described is more than hurtful words spoken toward someone… it is systemic, often involving relationships with some level of authority, whose power determines access to opportunities, basic needs, services or justice,” he said.
“Racism seeps into almost every aspect of people’s lives, and in a way that has become so normalized that victims don’t feel like they can talk about it…everyday racism is hidden in plain sight of all.”
The Federation of Ethnic Community Councils of Australia (FECCA) consulted 860 participants for the report commissioned by the AHRC.
One respondent said he received 1 in 10 job interview opportunities before changing his name upon marriage, after which he received 10 in 10 interviews.
Another said they were often suspected of stealing from the pharmacy, thereby depriving them of the opportunity to access essential medicines.
The report’s 11 recommendations included the government’s commitment to implementing a society-wide anti-racism agenda, with public and private institutions urged to put in place anti-discrimination policies, including prevention and reparation mechanisms.
FECCA President Carlo Carli said a national anti-racism framework could “dismantle” deep-rooted problems.
“The courage of those who shared their stories should compel us all to confront and fight against the systemic nature of racism in Australia,” Carli said.
Governments and the media fostered a culture of silence when they ignored or downplayed racism, the AHRC said.
The report will influence the national anti-racism framework that the commission is due to submit to the government on November 26.
