Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman says the release of the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia’s report last Friday marks a critical moment for our nation to address racism against Muslims in Australia.
The report identified the devastating impacts of Islamophobia in the education, media, and law enforcement sectors; in politics and broader society. It drew attention to Muslim women who are disproportionately targeted in public spaces, and Muslim men who are targeted in law enforcement and security contexts.
The report calls for reform across legal, education, government, media and community sectors to better protect Muslim Australians from racism, echoing many of the recommendations in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework.
‘Islamophobia is not isolated or rare in Australia and it goes beyond interpersonal religious intolerance. It is pervasive, persistent and deeply harmful. It has deep roots and needs structural solutions.
‘Recent incidents, including the threatening email sent to the Islamic College of Brisbane and the bomb hoax at Arundel Mosque have left communities shaken.
‘Islamophobia isolates and harms communities, erodes trust and fosters fear. We must do better to challenge this and build a society based on dignity and equality.
‘The Special Envoy’s report calls for key recommendations of the Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework to be implemented. ‘I welcome its alignment with the National Anti-Racism Framework.’
‘With the recommendations from a National Anti-Racism Framework now before government, alongside two Special Envoy reports and the forthcoming outcomes of the Racism@Uni study, we have a comprehensive foundation to forge a new, coordinated approach to tackling racism in Australia.
I look forward to continuing engagement with both Special Envoys as we work toward meaningful change.’
This is not just a policy issue - it is a moral imperative. I urge governments, institutions and individuals to act with urgency and compassion.’