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The situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia

back to upcoming seminars on human rights

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights

Seminar Series

‘The situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia'

Audio

3 December 2008

The Australian Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with the Indigenous People’s Organisations, was pleased to present the fifth seminar in this series celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), entitled ‘The situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia'.

The keynote speaker was Professor James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Indigenous Peoples.  Prof. Anaya is James J. Lenoir Professor of Human Rights Law and Policy at the University of Arizona (United States). He started his mandate as special rapporteur in May 2008.

Photo of Professor James Anaya

As special rapporteur Professor Anaya has a mandate to examine ways by which the obstacles to the full and effective protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people.

In fulfilling this mandate he works closely with member States and UN bodies, including the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the Human Rights Council, in identifying human rights concerns and sharing best practices on how they can be addressed.

Some of the means by which the Special Rapporteur carries out his mandate include:

  • Presenting annual reports on particular topics or situations of special importance regarding the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples;
  • Undertaking country visits;
  • Exchanges information with Governments concerning alleged violations of the rights of indigenous peoples, including where relevant responding to urgent actions; and
  • Undertakes activities to follow-up on the recommendations included in his reports.

The Special Rapporteur spoke about the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples reflecting on how it mirrored the existing human rights protections guaranteed in the Declaration on Human Rights, which has its 60th anniversary this year.

The special rapporteur commented on the importance of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a measure of the minimum human rights standards for Indigenous Peoples. The special rapporteur spoke of the need for there to be widespread awareness of the Declaration among indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. He commented on the significant ways in which governments have already started to implement the Declaration, such as through constitutional recognition. He also noted the need for training among member States’ government officials on the Declaration and its implementation.

Members of the Indigenous Peoples Organisations and other members of the audience had the opportunity to talk on a range of human rights issues currently impacting on Indigenous peoples in Australia.

Audience 1

The special rapporteur is hoping to be able to do a formal country visit to Australia next year, where he will have a fuller opportunity to engage in dialogues with the government and communities on the protections for Indigenous rights in Australia.

Audience 2