ANTAR

This is a really thoughtful opinion piece by Uluṟu Youth Dialogue leader Bridget Cama on the UN DRIP anniversary.

13 September is the anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world. It elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of Indigenous peoples including colonisation, dispossession and denial of cultural practices. Indigenous peoples around the world, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, were involved in its drafting. In 2007, a majority of 143 states voted in favour with 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions. Australia later endorsed UNDRIP in 2009 but there has been no implementation of Declaration principles in Australian law or policies. First Nations people in Australia are more likely to die younger than non-Indigenous Australians, face systemic racism and a higher rate of incarceration, and right now First Nations children are 10.5 times more likely be in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children. Australia must take steps to finally implement UNDRIP into domestic law and policy making to strengthen and protect the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Read more via ANTAR: https://lnkd.in/guh8mTBF #UNDRIP2024 #Reconciliation

The Declaration articulates the minimum standards to ensure the survival, dignity, and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples globally. While governments spend their time arguing that the Declaration is not legally binding in order avoid to implementation - they are wasting an opportunity to frame reforms within a clear blueprint for positive outcomes, that provides an internationally adopted mechanism against which to assess and measure the efficacy of Indigenous policies, programs and implementation practice…the Australian Senate have recommended implementation through a National Action Plan - after 15 years of avoidance - it’s time to give effect to the Declaration!

"We are the holders of the oldest living cultural education systems in the world. Our education system comes from the land. This is where and how our children and young people grow with their identity and their knowledge," "Education is healing. It is a place that we want our children to feel valued, loved, and safe in their spirit. Where their knowledge will grow. We want quality education provided to all of our children and young people, on their country and homelands, in a way that recognises and protects their culture and identity."

🆕 Blog from ANTAR National Director Blake Cansdale🔥 “I believe that necessary redistributive justice measures will only be possible following transformational systemic and structural government reforms, and nation-wide treaty making and truth-telling processes. Unless governments in Australia are prepared to work with First Nations Peoples in new community-led, culturally responsive, and dare I say post-colonial ways, ‘closing the gap’ will continue to be a pipe dream for our people.” Read the blog in full👉🏿 https://lnkd.in/gy3GN5T9 #Blog #UluruStatement #VoiceTreatyTruth #TruthTelling #TruthListening #Makarrata #TruthJusticeCommission #TrackingTreaty #TimeforTreaty #SovereigntyNeverCeded

✍️Join ANTAR in making a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry on The Australian Greens Truth and Justice Commission Bill and let PM Anthony Albanese and the Government know it’s not ok to abandon voice, treaties and truth-telling. We must collectively urge the Government to stand by its commitment to The Uluru Statement from the Heart - Uluru Dialogue (Official) in full and support the Bill to establish a Truth and Justice Commission. First Nations Peoples have spoken. We do not need any more consultation. We need action. ℹ️Visit antar.org.au for submission writing tips, key points, and template content that you can use to have your say➡️ https://lnkd.in/g4VrAQUq ⌛️Submissions must be made by Friday 6 September via the parliamentary website. #UluruStatement #VoiceTreatyTruth #TruthTelling #TruthListening #Makarrata #TruthJusticeCommission

New BOCSAR data shows why we need to #RaiseTheAge to at least 14.   Locking up kids makes crime worse, not better. It has never worked anywhere. Government needs to stop forcing kids into a lifetime of prison, and instead prevent crime in the first place by investing in youth engagement and support services.   View the BOCSAR report on the involvement of children aged 10-13 in the criminal justice system: https://lnkd.in/ghYhjaUm

👀Watch the recording of the National Allyship Summit 2024 at the University of Wollongong held on International Allyship Day, 8 August 2024

The landmark report into Missing and murdered First Nations women and children will be made public this afternoon. “Finally we have been given a national platform to tell our truths about the devastating loss of our women and children who are being murdered and brutally disappeared,” says Djirra CEO and Change the Record Co-Chair Antoinette Braybrook AM “Our experiences and stories vary but the underlying message will always be the same. Our women and children are NOT safe and their lives must be VALUED.” Djirra provided a submission to this Inquiry and strong Djirra women Antoinette Gentile, Kirby Bentley and Courtney Ugle also shared their stories and amplified the voices of Aboriginal women we work with. The Guardian interviewed Kirby and Courtney about their stories here: https://bit.ly/3M8Nsnm “Today our truths are on the public record. Often TRUTH is uncomfortable and painful but it must be TOLD and it must be HEARD. You cannot un-hear us now.” Djirra and our CEO Antoinette Braybrook AM will have more to say when we read the full report later today. Stay tuned! #MissingAndMurdered #AboriginalWomensLivesMatter

"This BOCSAR report reaffirms the need to raise the age of criminal responsibility and invest in solutions identified by Aboriginal communities that address drivers of offending behaviour. We’re dealing with children here; we can do better and should do better – putting a greater effort into 10-year-olds is not a hard ask." - Geoff Scott CEO Just Reinvest NSW #RaiseTheAge #justicereinvestment