Aussie Muslims experience discrimination and abuse on a regular basis

Muslim Australians experience discrimination and abuse on a regular basis

Muslim Australians experience discrimination and abuse on a regular basis, according to a new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission, (AHRC).

Even though communities say the discrimination has been particularly noticeable since the Lindt Cafe siege last year, the research finds the Racial Discrimination Act has only a “limited” ability to protect Muslim Australians, because “religious identity” is not covered under the act.
The report titled “Freedom from Discrimination,” also finds that many other Australians experience racial discrimination as a “constant feature” in the workplace, on the street and in the media.

During consultations with more than 130 community, legal, university and government groups this year, discrimination against Muslims was “consistently raised as a significant concern”.

The report acknowledged that the Racial Discrimination Act had “limited” ability to protect Muslim Australians, because it only covered discrimination based on race, color, ethnic or national origin or immigrant status – not religion.