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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-08-01 Daily Xml
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Motions

International Nelson Mandela Day

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (16:21): I move:

That this council—

1. Acknowledges International Nelson Mandela Day held on 18 July 2018;

2. Pays tribute to the work of Nelson Mandela in his devotion to serving humanity; and

3. Highlights the impact that the removal of social responsibility has on society.

Today, I rise to move the private members' motion standing in my name about the significant impact that Nelson Mandela has had on supporting and promoting human rights in his country and around the world. This year marks the 100th birthday of Nelson Mandela, if he were to see this day. Unfortunately, this extraordinary man passed in 2013 at the age of 95, but his legacy, fortunately, continues.

The United Nations resolved to commemorate 18 July, Nelson Mandela's birthday, as International Nelson Mandela Day in 2009. Each year, the United Nations asks for 67 minutes of silence to recognise the 67 years that Nelson Mandela devoted his life to peace and freedom. In his time, Mandela contributed to the progression and development of his country and culture, most significantly by helping to rid South Africa of apartheid. As a consequence, he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and became the first democratically elected black president of South Africa in 1994.

He devoted his life to supporting his country's struggle for liberation and unity. As a humanitarian, he valued the promotion and protection of all human rights, reconciliation, equality of race and giving a voice to vulnerable groups and individuals. He pursued a nonviolent, anti-apartheid campaign against the South African government. As a result of his activities, Nelson Mandela served a significant time in a South African prison.

In 1962, he was convicted of trying to overthrow the white supremacist government and was given a lifetime sentence. However, 27 years later, after an international campaign, Mandela was released and was able to continue his campaign for peace and freedom until his death. Three years ago, the United Nations broadened its understanding of International Nelson Mandela Day to include and promote humane conditions for prisoners.

It is very important that we consider that all of our citizens, irrespective of where they may be housed, are recognised members of our society and are afforded their rights as citizens under our legal system and in accordance with international human rights law. This internationally recognised day is a useful starting point in any discussion of citizens' rights and the United Nations' standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners, otherwise known as the Nelson Mandela rules. Expressed in them is that:

The prison regime should seek to minimise any differences between prison life and life at liberty that tend to lessen the responsibility of the prisoners or the respect due to their dignity as human beings.

The Nelson Mandela rules also enunciate that, 'The treatment of prisoners should emphasize not their exclusion from the community but their continuing part in it.'

Currently, South Australia allows persons in custody the right to vote. This may change as a result of a bill introduced in March this year that aims to disenfranchise any person serving three or more years from being able to act on this simple right. We need to have regard to all perspectives and issues when debating this matter in both houses. This day commemorates the changes made possible by one man backed by the will of his nation. As the first black president of his country Nelson Mandela set aside adversity to achieve his goals.

In Australia it is important that we recognise our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and highly value their rich history and role in and contribution to our country and communities. It is evident that this group of Australians is disproportionately represented within the penitentiary system; only 2 per cent of our South Australian population is recognised as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander yet they represent almost 25 per cent of our prison population. We currently recognise all people within our community, yet we prevent a significant portion of them from further participating in society or acting in pursuit of their human rights.

In recognition of this model humanitarian, of a man who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in reconciliation between those in power and those without a voice, we should use this time to consider all members of our society. It is often easy to overlook those who are not seen or heard but we need to consider the harm this suppression may cause, the impact that stripping over 3,032 South Australians of their right to vote has on our state and its people, and consider the impact on their rehabilitation and their view of our society.

As we, as a state and a country, continue to grow and develop, it shows greatly when we take time to reflect on the life of such a devoted man. Nelson Mandela helped his country develop and grow in the overall struggle for democracy and liberty. To be selective about which groups of people are and are not supported to vote, stripping away what is a human right for all, strikes at the core concern that Nelson Mandela worked tirelessly to change.

The teachings of Nelson Mandela should be used as an example of growth and development of our democratic society and the intrinsic value these issues have in our community. We have a social responsibility to ensure that all citizens remain part of our community, no matter their status. It should be at the heart of our community and societal values. In the words of the great man himself:

It is said that no-one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.

Vale, Nelson Mandela.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. T.J. Stephens.

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