E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.1 page 20 which would imply that the rapporteur of the commissions of inquiry and the Minister responsible for Aboriginals to whom the report is to be submitted should be women. 95. Judge Elizabeth Evatt, in charge of revising the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act, recommended that Aboriginal values and traditions regarding the protection of information should be recognized in the law, so that the notion of secrecy is legally recognized and respected, while allowing for the communication of non-secret information. 96. With regard to criticism of the protective effects of the law, many non-governmental commentators pointed out that, as a result of loopholes and shortcomings in the law, the authorities were able to interfere with the religion of Aboriginals, who were asked to prove the religious significance of a site and its importance and to reveal religious secrets. More protective legislation is required, incorporating Judge Evatt's recommendations, according to non-governmental representatives, in order to prevent any impairment of religion and to ensure that discretionary power in the hands of the authorities, is shared with the Aboriginals. 97. The protection of lands and sacred sites also raises the issue of returning objects of religious significance, including sacred objects, non-sacred but valuable objects, and human remains. 98. In 1990, the ministers of the Commonwealth, States and Territories adopted a policy based on the recognition of Aboriginal cultural property, which gave priority to the return of human remains and cultural property to the Aboriginals. Legislation was passed for that purpose and other acts were to be amended. Some Australian museums have returned collections of sacred objects and valuables, as well as human remains, to their original owners (one example being the return in 1988 by the Victoria Museum and National Museum of Australia of the Murray Black collection of some 1,300 objects), while others have sought to cooperate with Aboriginal communities, particularly by managing collections and cultural presentations so as to ensure that secret/sacred items are handled with respect and sensitivity. Nevertheless, the repatriation of objects held by museums and institutions abroad, especially in Britain, is slow, despite some improvements. For example, national museums in the United Kingdom have claimed that difficulties have arisen due to legislation which prevents the disposal of their collections. In an interview, the Minister for Foreign Affairs recalled that the Australian Government's policy was to seek the repatriation of Aboriginal property. 2. Other areas 99. Despite the official policy of conciliation towards Aboriginals, the latter still appear to occupy a marginal place in economic and social areas, as shown by the frequent occurrences of alcoholism, domestic violence and unemployment in those communities. 100. In the area of employment, there is said to be a reluctance on the part of private employers due to mistrust of Aboriginals, who have to fulfil religious duties, sometimes for long periods of time, for instance on the occasion of a death or of religious ceremonies. According to this view, it