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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-14 Daily Xml
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SOUTH SUDAN

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins:

That this council congratulates HURIDOSS (Human Rights Development Organisation South Sudan), Australian Chapter, on its launch and wishes it success in promoting awareness and protection of human rights in the Republic of South Sudan through community education, advocacy, research and consultation in order to advance important policy and legislative reforms in this new nation.

(Continued from 29 February 2012.)

The Hon. J.S. LEE (16:53): I rise today to support my wonderful colleague the Hon. John Dawkins for his motion towards congratulating the Human Rights Development Organisation South Sudan, Australian Chapter, HURIDOSS. It was officially launched in Adelaide on 28 January 2012. We were informed that the 2011 establishment of this non-profit, apolitical organisation is to ensure awareness and protection of human rights remains evident in the newly formed country, the Republic of South Sudan.

HURIDOSS promotes human rights through community education, advocacy, research and consultation in order to advance important policy and legislative reforms. Bringing this motion to the council recognises HURIDOSS for their commitment to the South Sudanese community and acknowledges their vision and core principles in promoting the rule of law and improving the livelihoods of those residing in South Sudan as well as their families living in Australia.

The policy centrepiece of the Human Rights Organisation came after Sudan endured one of the longest and most brutal wars of the 21st century, with civilians witnessing the killing of two million people and another two million becoming homeless. South Sudan formally became independent from Sudan on 9 July 2011 as a result of an internally monitored referendum. This led to the admission of the Republic of South Sudan to become a new member state by the United Nations General Assembly on 14 July 2011.

The Republic of South Sudan is the outcome of a 2005 peace deal that ended Africa's longest-running civil war. I acknowledge and pay great tribute to the South Sudanese people who fought hard and endured a life-long dream to achieve independence. The people of South Sudan will now be given the opportunity to work hand in hand to write the future for the new nation.

Last week, we celebrated International Women's Day in Adelaide and across Australia. For the first time in history, International Women's Day was celebrated in South Sudan. As a strong advocate for women in our community, it is incredibly humbling for me to learn that the South Sudanese women's liberation movement dates back to the 1940s, when women were actively involved in the search for their rights.

During the 22 years of civil war, women's contributions were well acknowledged across South Sudan. Fifty-two per cent of the votes during the 2011 referendum that led to the country's independence were from women, and many of them returned to the south after years of displacement to take part in the historic vote. Sixty per cent of families that returned to South Sudan to vote in the referendum were reportedly led by a single woman. The influence, determination and capacity of women to drive change cannot be underestimated.

Despite the independence succession, the acute social and economic challenges faced by South Sudan are still far from over. Research shows that 65 per cent of women form the majority of the 8 million people in South Sudan. These women happen to be the most disadvantaged: 92 per cent of these women cannot read or write; more than 70 per cent aged between 15 to 49 have no knowledge of HIV prevention; and domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence are most common. Also, a recent UN report indicates that the number of girls who die during pregnancy is higher than the number who graduate from high school each year.

With all these challenges in mind, that is why HURIDOSS is so important. HURIDOSS is currently working with Sudanese women and girls to challenge blatant discrimination in law, policy and decision-making, as well as hidden forms of discrimination embedded in culture and tradition in South Sudan. Above all, HURIDOSS is leading the campaign to end all forms of violence against women in South Sudan.

Throughout the establishment of HURIDOSS, it has acknowledge the achievement the republic has made in passing legislation such as the Land Act, which recognises women's equal rights to property and the Child Act 2008, giving rights to children and also preserving affirmative action provisions for women.

South Australia has a growing and active multicultural society. The vision and core principles of HURIDOSS are important to the South Sudanese migrants residing in South Australia and Australia as a whole. Throughout the last 13 years, South Australia has received a greater than average share of refugee settlement, according to the Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program for 2011-12.

Within South Australia, my office has estimated that there are now approximately 30 established Sudanese community groups. During the last six months of 2011, a number of South Sudanese community groups took the lead in celebrating the independence succession of the Republic of South Sudan. The South Sudan Equatorian Communities of South Australia organised a function on16 July 2011, in Enfield, to celebrate the new nation.

Today, I speak to this motion not only as the shadow parliamentary secretary for multicultural affairs and someone who supports the multicultural development in South Australia but also as a strong advocate for human rights and social justice. I wish to pay tribute and convey my warmest wishes to the South Sudanese community in South Australia. I also pass on my best wishes to the people of the new nation of South Sudan, wishing them a better future.

HURIDOSS is not only paving the way for positive change for the residents of South Sudan but also continuing its advocacy and making its mark in Australia through its Australian chapter. As a member state of the United Nations, the Republic of South Sudan will continue to engage with the international community on domestic and international human rights issues. The organisation believes Australia has expertise and can play an important role. I also believe Australia can help support this new nation to enable it to develop its legal framework and democracies so that the social, economic and cultural rights of the people of the new nation can be upheld.

I thank the Hon. John Dawkins for moving the important motion in the Legislative Council, and I join him and my Liberal colleagues to congratulate the Human Rights Development Organisation South Sudan (Australian Chapter) on its launch and I wish them all the success in their current and future endeavours in promoting awareness and protection of human rights in the Republic of South Sudan through community education, advocacy, research and consultation. I support the motion.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. G.A. Kandelaars.

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