Australia to apologise for shame of its 'stolen generations'

[Sweetpea]

The "indignation and degradation" inflicted upon generations of Aborigines by successive Australian governments will form the heart of an unprecedented apology by the country's parliament.

The recently elected Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, today revealed the wording of a parliamentary motion which will express "profound grief" for the "pain, suffering and hurt" put on the island's natives.

The motion, backed by Rudd's ruling party and the opposition, is guaranteed to pass when it is voted upon tomorrow.

The apology is directed at the 100,000 Aborigines who were forcibly removed from their families as children under assimilation policies that lasted from 1910 to the 1970s, based in part on the belief that the race was doomed.

"We apologise for the laws and policies of successive parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians," Rudd said.

"We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.

"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry."


Australia to apologise for shame of its 'stolen generations' | World news | guardian.co.uk


To little, too late

[easyg]

Hollow words and pandering to future votes IMHO.
Same with Politicians the world over.downwu

[Sweetpea]

Hubby, an ex-Australian says 'What, again'?