Aborigines granted Olympic protests

Australia has been criticised for its treatment of Aborigines

The Australian Government has given Aborigines permission to demonstrate near Sydney airport in the days leading up to the 2000 Olympics.

Protest organisers say they expect 100,000 Aborigines to come from all over Australia to form a human chain along the roads around the airport to denounce the government's "shameful record on human rights".

We are for having matters affecting Australia resolved in Australia by Australia through Australian institutions

Prime Minister John Howard

The country's Aborigines had long planned to stage events during the Games but tough measures were introduced in July to clamp down on public protests.

Aboriginal groups gained approval for the protests after negotiations with the police.

The announcement comes as Prime Minister John Howard is to meet Secretary-General Kofi Annan of the United Nations, whose committees have frequently criticised Australia's treatment of Aborigines.

Human chain

The protests will come to a head to coincide with the Olympics opening ceremony on 15 September.

In May150,000 marched in support of aborigines

Protest organiser Jenny Munro said they wanted to provide another account of the "government's version of history" and correct "misinformation".

A key issue among indigenous groups is the "stolen generations" - Aboriginal children forcibly taken from their parents.

The official policy ended in the 1960s after nearly a century.

Aboriginal groups have urged the government to apologise to help reconciliation but Mr Howard has refused to say sorry.

Aborginal groups voted to demonstrate early this year.

Control over protests

Protestors face tight control at the Games.

In July the New South Wales parliament passed temporary laws giving "authorised personnel" police powers at major venues in Sydney to remove anyone causing annoyance.

Giving out leaflets is also prohibited in the legislation, carrying a fine of A$5,000

Mr Howard is to face his UN critics

On Monday, Mr Howard will fly to New York, where he is to address the United Nations' Millennium Summit.

Australia recently said it would restrict visits by UN experts to the country in response to a series of damning reports.

But Mr Howard said the government believed in "having matters affecting Australia resolved in Australia by Australia through Australian institutions".

The reports have condemned Australia for the comparative disadvantage suffered by Aborigines in the fields of employment, housing, health and education.