Songlines

And while CERN’s Large Hadron Collider is out of action, something of real importance is shaping up in Geneva – the first meeting of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. (The only real experts, of course, being First Peoples themselves.)

Duration

According to the resolution 6/36 of the Human Rights Council, the Expert Mechanism shall meet once annually three days in its first year and thereafter for up to five days.

Date and venue

The first session will take place from 1 to 3 October 2008, in Room XIX of the Palais des Nations, at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Provisional agenda

1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
3. Implementation of Human Rights Council resolution 6/36 entitled “Expert mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples”.
4. Consideration of thematic expertise on the rights of indigenous peoples, focused mainly on studies and research-based advice.
5. Proposals to the Human Rights Council for its consideration and approval.
6. Adoption of the report.

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/ExpertMechanism/index.htm

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Government Senators vote against Greens motion for Australia to endorse UNDRIP

See Women for Wik open letter

http://womenforwik.freeforums.org/open-letter-to-pm-to-endorse-un-dec-on-indigenous-rights-t89.html

$1,000,000,000,000 (US) to bail out capitalism? Yes!

Compensation for the stolen generations? No!

See the debate on the ABC website as the Greenscontinue with the unfinsihed business of compensation for Stolen Generations.

Greens to push new Stolen Generations compo bill http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/24/2372562.htm

Greens Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert Saturday 13th September 2008, 1:00pm

The Rudd Government should immediately sign the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, according to the Victorian Greens annual conference today.

“It is time the Rudd Government put some substance to the apology to the stolen generations and showed their true commitment to righting the wrongs of successive administrations,” said Australian Greens spokesperson on Indigenous Issues, Senator Rachel Siewert to today’s conference in Melbourne.

Senator Siewert called on the Australian Government to deliver on its election promise to sign the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as quickly as possible.

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Friday, 12 September 2008

The Australian government should move quickly to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma said today, on the eve of the first anniversary of the Declaration’s passing at the UN.

“The Declaration is fundamentally about participation and engagement with Indigenous peoples,” Commissioner Calma said.

“It is a positive, aspirational document that recognises the rights that are inherent for Indigenous peoples rather than leaving it up to governments to decide whether or not Indigenous people possess such rights, or deserve protection or recognition.

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STATEMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

By Les Malezer

Former Chairperson of the Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus on the Declaration Issued for 13 September 2008

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

We celebrate on 13 September 2008 the first anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations of the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The adoption of the Declaration by the United Nations, with an overwhelming vote of support from the member States, represents a significant milestone in the promotion and protection of universal
human rights.

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“The Australian Government is committed to improving law and justice outcomes for Indigenous Australians as part of its bigger commitment to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage.

A new national Indigenous law and justice advisory body is being established to provide high level Indigenous law and justice policy advice to the Australian Government. It is anticipated the advisory body will include representation from non government service providers such as Indigenous legal services and family violence support services, key justice sectors, such as police, corrections and the courts, as well as specialists in areas such as law reform, human rights and juvenile justice.

The Australian Government recognises these are complex issues that require a holistic approach if it is to make a real impact. It is envisioned the advisory body will also bring together expert views on a range of factors affecting Indigenous peoples’ contact with the justice system, such as education, health and employment.”

How can you have your say?
See http://www.ag.gov.au/indigenousadvisorybody and/or read more:

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“Passing a story from one person to the next plays an important part in keeping the Yolgnu culture alive.

We encourage you to visit the 12 Canoes website and actively participate in the storytelling process.”

- The Yolngu people of Ramingining, NT

See and hear from Yolngu people from the Top End – sharing stories (in English and Yolngu)

http://www.12canoes.com.au/