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If it's good enough for Iraq why not us - Damaging Australia's Reputation

Statement from UN by ATSIC NSW Metropolitan Zone Commissioner Cliff Foley

21 May 2004 - As the Third Session of UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues draws to a close in New York, ATSIC’s strong tradition as an international advocate for the rights and aspirations of Indigenous people, too, reaches its conclusion.

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, a Forum which ATSIC played a role in establishing in 2002, provides an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to represent their own interests directly to any major body of the UN – where we have previously not been able.

The Forum is currently gathering its recommendations and conclusions on the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum including Economic and Social Development, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Culture and Education. ATSIC has contributed to discussions and recommendations throughout the two week meeting which will be reflected in the report of the Forum to be finalised on Friday (NY time).

Themes for the Fourth Session of the Permanent Forum are currently being canvassed and I will be recommending that Collective Rights and Traditional Knowledge be considered as a theme for next year’s meeting.

I have a particular interest in ensuring that traditional owners are able to protect and maintain sacred knowledge and places and are the beneficiaries of any commercial use of their traditional knowledge

While we look to the future topics of discussion for next year’s Permanent Forum, ATSIC will, sadly, not be involved in the Forum. The Australian Government’s decision to abolish ATSIC means Australia’s First Peoples will not be represented by democratically-elected representatives internationally next year and perhaps for many years to come.

I am dumbfounded that the Australian Government can so strongly support the imposition of a democratic model on the people of Iraq, while virtually at the same time using strongarm tactics to take an equally democratic model away from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the basis for determining indigenous representation at the national and international levels.

While our aspirations have been dashed, our inspirations are left for other Member States and NGOs to pick up on in future. The United Nations will move forward while the Australian Government abandons its responsibilities to Indigenous people.

Many of the Forum’s Delegates are deeply saddened and shocked by the actions of the Australian Government. The Australian Government should not ignore the fact that its short-sighted actions are causing serious damage to the reputation of this country of ours and will add to growing perception overseas that Australians care little for human rights and in particular the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Delegates have expressed to me their deep concern that, if a developed country like Australia chooses to treat their Indigenous people in the way they have with the abolition of ATSIC and its democratic foundation, there is little hope of Australia being able to effectively address the needs of less developed countries, particularly in the Pacific with indigenous populations.

It is with a heavy heart, that at this Forum, as we approach the end of the Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, I have to highlight the Australian Government’s opposition to the ongoing role of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations which sets international human rights standards; and also highlight the obstructionist attitude of the Australian Government which has prevented the achievement of a Draft Declaration on the Rights of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

In light of actions such as these I can’t see how the Government’s emerging National Action Plan on Human Rights will provide any hope of substantive action or commitment to a national human rights framework.

ATSIC has been an active participant in international forums for many years and is held in high regard at these meetings for the contributions it has made to the advancement of Indigenous peoples issues and aspirations with the United Nations system and beyond. Importantly, ATSIC has over the years assisted Indigenous people from less-developed nations to navigate the processes and systems of the United Nations to enable their voices to be heard.

The Government’s decision to abolish ATSIC has far-reaching implications, such as the important role that ATSIC plays in assisting other Indigenous peoples of the world, many of which they are still coming to terms with themselves.

Despite the obstacles put before our people by a mean-spirited Prime Minister, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will continue to represent their views at these international forums, the international advocacy agenda will continue and our voices will only become louder to ensure we are treated with the dignity and respect to which we are entitled.

The Australian Government’s denial of our right to a democratically elected voice at the national or international level is a stain on our reputation as a nation committed to the principles of democracy and human rights throughout the world.

Source: ATSIC

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