austraLasia #1779

Youth advocate shares human rights award with broadcaster

SYDNEY: 10th December 2006 -- Well-known Sydney Catholic priest and social worker, Fr Chris Riley, has been awarded the Human Rights Medal by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, an award shared with ABC broadcaster, Phillip Adams. Also taking out an award is the Edmund Rice Centre, which produced the influential Deported to Danger report on the plight of deported asylum seekers. The citation says that the Sydney-based centre "has a long history fighting for the rights of Indigenous people and those involved in the horror of people trafficking."
    Fr Riley, also based in Sydney, was recognised for his work rehabilitating young homeless and drug addicted people. The judges felt that Father Riley exemplified human rights in action. By his energy, vision and compassion he has not only helped an overwhelming number of individual young people out of a cycle of extreme disadvantage but has set in place networks and programs to educate the community about the need to make changes to help future generations of kids to have a better chance in life. He founded the "Youth off the Streets" program more than a decade ago, according to the ABC.
    There was no mention in either the Catholic or national media that Fr Chris Riley is a Salesian. He is attached to the Provincial House community in Melbourne. The awards were presented on 7th December, in Sydney.
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