Council wins human rights award for refugee settlement

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A New South Wales council has been recognised for its work in settling refugees from Syria and northern Iraq in the region.

The Armidale Regional Council won the Government Award at the Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2019 award ceremony in Sydney on Friday.

The Council has played a key role in the Settlement Services International program to relocate Ezidi refugees who have fled their country. Staff have been trained to help the locals interact with members of the Ezidi community.

Armidale has become home for roughly 450 Ezidi people since mid-2018, and it’s estimated another 380 will arrive in the next financial year, according to Council Mayor Simon Murray.

“Their arrival in Armidale has further enhanced the city’s vast multiculturalism, which is a source of great pride for our region and is boosted by the large number of international students at the Armidale-based University of New England,” he said.

“To see how they have embraced the area is reward enough. To be honoured with a national award is an added bonus and great recognition for all the groups that have helped to make their settlement as smooth as possible.”

The most prestigious award — the Human Rights Medal — was awarded to Rosemary Kayess for her international work for people with disability.

Kayess helped draft the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and successfully lobbied for its ratification in Australia.

Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said Kayess’ lifelong advocacy for equal rights for people with disability has “made the world a better place” for many.

The winners of the 2019 Human Rights Awards are:

Human Rights Medal – Rosemary Kayess

Young People’s Human Rights Medal – Vanessa Turnbull Roberts

Business Award – STREAT

Government Award – Armidale Regional Council

Racism. It Stops With Me Award – The Final Quarter

Media Award – ABC Investigation into Aged Care

Tony Fitzgerald Memorial Community Individual Award – Jasmine Cavanagh

Community Organisation Award – Just Reinvest NSW

Law Award – Kate Eastman SC