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Home > Aboriginal Studies > Social Justice & Human Rights > Global Perspective > Social Justice & Human Rights Issues: A Global Perspective

 

Social Justice & Human Rights Issues: A Global Perspective

	National and international indigenous human rights issues from a global perspective   Human rights and indigenous peoples Citizenship rights of other Indigenous peoples Reconciliation Role of United Nations World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference Sovereignty References   OUTCOMES H1.2 analyses and discusses the social justice and human rights issues that are contemporary consequences of the colonisation of Aboriginal peoples H2.1 analyses the importance of land as an aspect of contemporary issues impacting on Aboriginal peoples H2.3 discusses and analyses consequences of colonisation on contemporary Aboriginal cultural, political, social and economic life H3.3 compares and evaluates current initiatives that reassert the social, economic and political independence of Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples H4.5 compares and evaluates the histories and cultures of Indigenous Australian peoples with international Indigenous peoples H4.1 investigates, analyses and synthesises information from Aboriginal and other perspectives, using a variety of media   "Human rights are not exclusive to any particular society or group of individuals, and they are as relevant to people living in Australia as they are to those who live elsewhere. Human rights are for everyone, everywhere and at all times. Human rights are an inextricable part of our lives. In fact, they are so much a part of every day living that we often take for granted the protection they offer us. Consider, for example, how often you drink clean water; eat food; go to school or university; say or write what you think; practice a religion (or not); vote for a political party; demand privacy, and expect to be treated fairly by others. All of these everyday activities depend on the adequate protection of your human rights as well as those of your neighbour. Where the protection is inadequate, or missing altogether, your human rights suffer. The fundamental importance of human rights is such that we cannot afford to neglect them. And to be sure that we do not neglect them, we all must know more about them." Copyright 2000 Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission   Examine the excellent site Human Rights which is part of the common good civics and cititizenship education site on ABC Learn Online . Related links Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Amnesty International USA (AIUSA)     Human rights and indigenous peoples Although the history and culture of Indigenous communities vary enormously, there are many parallels in both their world views and their struggles. Making connections across cultures is a great source of potential learning and solidarity for Indigenous peoples worldwide. As the United Nations Decade of Indigenous Peoples draws to an end, these connections will become crucial as Indigenous peoples struggle internationally for their rights, and for the ratification of the UN Draft Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2004.   "It is also very important to have an international instrument like the UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ; an instrument that takes account of Indigenous peoples' rights and interests in the various circumstances of the world. Even more important, it was developed through negotiations by Indigenous peoples themselves. When adopted by the UN and entrenched in domestic law in Australia, it will raise Indigenous issues beyond Aboriginal peoples being seen as just another vested interest group. There is nothing to stop nation states from paying due regard to the Declaration now, but it seems they are more interested in eroding it before it is even considered for adoption. Its value, even as a draft, is that it can be used by Indigenous peoples around that world against any particular nation state's use of the notion of perceived common good to subvert their legitimate concern for their rights." Patrick Dodson, former Chair of the Reconciliation Council Related links Community Aid Abroad - Oxfam Australia United Nations Human Rights Website   Citizenship rights of other Indigenous peoples United States: Choctaw Nation For the Native American/Indians such as the Choctaw, tribal citizenship and American citizenship became hard to distinguish when in 1897 Congress extended federal law over them requiring presidential approval of every act of their councils. Citizenship and guardianship over Indian lands seems to have gone hand in hand although it seems most Native Americans value their citizenship as do other Americans. A few deny it, notably the still-proud remnants of the Iroquois Confederacy in New York.   Reconciliation Canada: Indigenous peoples On January 7th, 1998 the Government of Canada issued a Statement of Reconciliation which stated in part: "As Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians seek to move forward together in a process of renewal, it is essential that we deal with the aboriginal peoples of Canada, including the First Nations, Inuit and Mitis. Our purpose is not to rewrite History but, rather, to learn from our past and to find ways to deal with the negative impacts that certain historical decisions continue to have in our society today…" "Reconciliation shows two faces, a symbolic and a practical… The key words to this symbolic side of Reconciliation and recognition (link to the extent to which Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples have achieved recognition and equality in society) and respect." Sir Gustav Nossal, Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation   Related links Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Community Aid Abroad submission to the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Draft National Strategies to Advance Reconciliation   The socio-economic status of Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples today may be seen as the practical side of Reconciliation. Reconciliation has different meanings for each nation group who deals in this concept, however, the end result you would hope would include the provision of justice and equity for all… a vision for Australia held by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.   Role of United Nations "Governments come and go, but the peoples of the world remain a permanent constituency of the United Nations." President of Uganda, 1979   General Assembly of the United Nations Organisations in the United Nations system responded and are still responding to the problems faced by indigenous communities in areas such as human rights, the environment development, education and health (link to current socio-economic status of Aboriginal and Indigenous peoples). The UN Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is in the process of refinement and aims to affirm peoples’ rights to self- determination; to their land, and to their cultures. It should serve as a moral incentive to governments to return them control over their lives and futures. The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 1993 as International Year for the World’s Indigenous People . Related link General Assembly of the United Nations   World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference A consequence of the colonisation of Indigenous people has been the loss of knowledge that Elders could pass down to youth so that cultures could continue into the 21st century. The origins of the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education goes back to Vancouver in 1985 and from this beginning Indigenous and non-Indigenous people now meet annually. These people share a common goal of cultural survival and educational success and they see the need to apply traditional values and beliefs to contemporary educational practices to reach their goal. An emphasis of these conferences is to bring together Elders and youth in a common understanding and so that different cultures can learn from each other. Related link World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education   Sovereignty Sovereignty is closely related to power, over people within a certain national territory. Traditional power of the king has subsequently become the power of government, is absolute. When states agree to become part of international organisations such as the UN, and take part in international treaties, they lose a little sovereignty because they are acknowledging international standards. Like states, indigenous peoples are also claiming sovereignty over people and territory. However, they may not be claiming absolute sovereignty, rather, a form of statehood that is negotiable rather than imposed, and that will return to them their dignity, as well as control over their own affairs eg. Canada and the Nunavit Final Agreement 1993. Indigenous Law Bulletin August/Sept.1999, vol. 4, issue 23.   References Related links: ABC Learn Online Community Aid Abroad - Oxfam Australia United Nations Human Rights Website Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation General Assembly of the United Nations World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Amnesty International USA (AIUSA)