Changes to 18C could bring 'more hatred and violence’, says Amnesty

Amnesty International believes the gradual watering down of the country's Racial Discrimination laws ‘could embolden racists in the community’.

Roxanne Moore, Amnesty International Indigenous Rights Campaigner, believes an Australia-wide overhaul of the juvenile justice system is necessary. Source: NITV News

Amnesty International appeared alongside the Australian Lawyers Alliance, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Refugee Council of Australia today as they gave evidence at the NSW Public Hearing of the Parliamentary inquiry into Freedom of Speech in Australia.

Amnesty’s Indigenous Rights Campaigner, Roxanne Moore, told the inquiry that changing the Racial Discrimination Act could upset a fine balance and be “seriously damaging”.

“It could embolden racists in the community, it could potentially lead to more violence and racial hatred in the community, and we don't think that's a good outcome for social cohesion or tolerance.”

She told NITV News the organisation is “hoping that they will see the Racial Discrimination Act in its current form meets its international obligations and doesn't need amendment."

The joint hearings are expected to deliberate on their verdict on what the government should do next, by the end of the month.