Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Eupdate
Talking rights – Indigenous self-determination and the Charter
More can be done to raise awareness of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities as a tool to help Victoria’s Indigenous communities achieve their own goals, according to a new report into self-determination.
The report Talking rights – consulting with Victoria’s Indigenous community about the right to self-determination and the Charter resulted from consultations with Indigenous people in preparation for the four-year review of the Charter later this year.
While views on including self-determination in the Charter are at the heart of the report, Commissioner Dr Szoke said that the consultations also revealed that many in the community are unaware of how existing Charter rights can be used as an advocacy tool in dealing with government
“The report highlights that more work needs to be done to inform communities about the Charter and how it can have a more positive impact on supporting, protecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous Victorians.
Key findings from the consultation – which involved more than 90 Indigenous people from communities around Victoria – indicate that:
- the needs, goals and aspirations of Indigenous people are diverse, extend across many sectors and vary in priority
- self-determination is an important issue for Indigenous people in Victoria
- more consultation work needs to be done with Indigenous communities about the role of the Charter and self-determination
- Indigenous people consulted generally supported the inclusion of the right to self-determination in the Charter.
“Self-determination relies on all Victorians recognising Indigenous peoples’ distinct cultures and forms of social organisation, governance and decision-making, and acknowledging their history and unique status as ‘First People’.
“Self-determination also requires that Victorians respect and acknowledge the rights of Indigenous people to observe their culture within the limits of Victorian law,” Dr Szoke said.
“In practice, it is about moving towards Indigenous people being empowered to make decisions, and having choices about how to organise and govern their communities, and how to use their financial and other assets for the benefit of those communities."
Talking rights– consulting with Victoria’s Indigenous community about the right to self-determination and the Charter involved consultation with more than 90 Indigenous people in 2010.
The Commission also recently launched Talking rights: Consulting with Victorians about the rights of people with disabilities and the Charter.
Media contact: Lisa Taylor
Phone: (03) 9032 3425
Mobile: 0459 114 657
Email:
lisa.taylor@veohrc.vic.gov.au
