Songlines

Australian Human Rights Commission

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, James Anaya, will undertake a mission to Australia from 17 to 28 August 2009, at the invitation of the Australian Government. (More information about the Special Rapporteur and his role is provided below).

During his mission to Australia, the Special Rapporteur will investigate and report on the major challenges faced by Indigenous peoples of Australia in the enjoyment of their human rights, with a view toward contributing to steps to address those problems, as well as to identify good practices.

The Special Rapporteur will travel to Canberra and to Adelaide, Perth, Alice Springs, Darwin, Yirrkala, Groote Eylandt, Cairns, Sydney, and Brisbane to hold discussions with government representatives, Indigenous communities and civil society groups on the human rights of Indigenous peoples. At the conclusion of his visit a press conference will be held in Canberra on 27 August 2009.

The Special Rapporteur will outline the visit’s findings in a Country Report which will be presented at a forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations (IPO) Network of Australia has submitted a brief to the Special Rapporteur on current Indigenous human rights issues in Australia. A copy of the brief can be accessed at the Australian Human Rights Commission’s website at:
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/publications/srip_2009/index.html

Information and submissions can be provided directly to the Special Rapporteur by email: indigenous@ohchr.org

For further details about the Special Rapporteur’s mission, please contact: Les Malezer ( les.malezer@gmail.com ; 0419 710 720)

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