Jenan Taylor
22 January 2025
Muslim, Jewish, Arab and Palestinian people in Australia might be unable to practice their religion freely, because of escalating hate crimes and racism across the country, faith and human rights groups say.
They denounced a recent series of hate crimes in a joint statement, and warned acts of Islamophobia and antisemitism, and anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism stoked fear in those communities.
The groups, including Human Rights Watch, Jewish Council of Australia, Australian National Imams Council and Amnesty International, said the incidents also prevented those communities practising their culture and enjoying their human rights.
The recent attacks, including the vandalising of a childcare centre and two synagogues in Sydney, come after intensifying hate crimes against Jewish, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities.
The organisations called on political leaders to stand up against the recent crimes and acts of discrimination, saying this racism included politicians’ denial of the seriousness of Islamophobia and racist language in the media.
“Political leaders … should not seek to politicise racist attacks for political gain. Nor should political leaders cause further community division or vilification in their response to attacks. Human rights protections should not devolve into a game of political point scoring,” the groups said.
They urged governments at all levels in Australia to support efforts to address antisemitism and Islamophobic acts and racist discrimination.
The groups also called on them to consult with human rights experts and affected communities, and ensure that any restrictions on rights were legitimate, necessary and proportionate.
In December religious leaders from across Australia expressed solidarity with the Jewish community and denounced antisemitism after a synagogue in Melbourne’s south-east was firebombed.
They urged Australians to reject hatred and violence to keep Australia a safe, flourishing and healthy democracy.
Faith bodies, including the Victorian Council of Churches and the Islamic Council of Victoria, wanted people to embrace unity instead.
For more faith news, follow The Melbourne Anglican on Facebook, Instagram, or subscribe to our weekly emails.
