Unbalanced AI

Amnesty's human rights criticism unbalanced, says PM

The Prime Minister John Howard has rejected Amnesty International's criticism of the Australian Government's human rights record.

In Amnesty's annual report, the Federal Government has been criticised for using fear by portraying asylum-seekers in leaky boats as a threat to Australia's national security.

But Mr Howard says the report contains a string of assertions which are not supported by any evidence.

He says he makes no apology for taking appropriate steps to protect the nation's borders.

"I respect Amnesty International's historical commitment to protecting human rights," he said.

"Regrettably, however, the organisation's current leadership seems to have lost sight of the need for any balance or rigour and has succumbed to the easy lure of moral relativism.

"Amnesty International's report has done more damage to its own credibility than it has Australia's."

Here is the AI Report:

Amnesty International has lumped John Howard alongside Robert Mugabe and Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir in a report which says they are short-sighted fear-mongers dividing the world.

They accuse Mr Howard of portraying asylum-seekers as a threat to national security, they criticise Australia's role in the war on terror and its treatment of female victims of violence.