The Hon. John Howard
Prime Minister
Government of Australia
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Dear Hon. Prime Minister,

Greetings from the Christian Conference of Asia.

We, the Christian Conference of Asia is a fellowship of more than hundred churches and sixteen member councils throughout Asia, including Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, have been informed by our member churches in Australia about the insensitive manner in which the Australian Government has intervened to address issues concerning Indigenous community in Northern Territory.

We express our deep concern over your Government’s way of handling matters relating to the Northern Territory Indigenous intervention. We firmly believe that lack of proper dialogue and consultation before pursuing legislation tantamount to violation of human rights. Therefore, we appeal to you that instead of rushing through legislation, to set up a process whereby views of Indigenous people can be heard and taken into serious consideration before enacting legislation.

We as a Christian organization support and stand in solidarity with the stand of the Uniting Church in Australia.

As you struggle through this crucial legislation, we assure you that you are in our prayers and that you will be able to resolve this issue in a peaceful and just manner.

Thank you.

With Christian Greetings,

Yours Sincerely,

Prawate Khid-arn
General Secretary

CC: 1. Rev. Dr. Keny Enright
National Director, Uniting International Mission

2. Rev.John Henderson,
General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Australia

3. The Ambassador, Australian Embassy in Thailand