Meeting in Geneva to ensure Indigenous rights

Representatives from Indigenous communities and organisations in Australia travelled to Geneva, Switzerland in July to attend the United Nations (UN) forum on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) is one of the most important UN mechanisms for the support of Indigenous peoples across the globe. It conducts studies into issues of importance for Indigenous peoples and provides advice to the UN Human Rights Council. Its annual session, held in July 2016, brings together representatives from nation states, Indigenous organisations, civil society, inter-governmental organisations and academia.

Ineke Wallis, the Governance Manager of East Arnhem Regional Council from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, said she felt privileged to be at the forum.

“I attended EMRIP to speak for Indigenous people of Australia,” Ineke said.

“I spoke about the things that are high priority in my community and also very close to my heart. For example, to close the gap, the government really needs to start with housing.”

The Australian Government also sent a delegation. It provided information on Australia’s approach to Indigenous issues, participated in discussions and made several official statements including ones on business and human rights.

Australia hosted a panel on the economic empowerment of Indigenous peoples. The discussion on social and other benefits of economic development was particularly well received.

Charles Prouse, Chairman of the Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre, said that EMRIP was a chance to explain what is currently unfolding for Indigenous Australians.

“While First Nations peoples were the first traders of the world, in the modern era, we are greatly under-represented as modern day business owners,” Charles said.

“However, Indigenous people, many of whom are natural entrepreneurs, are stepping up to build and run their own companies and commit to the delivery of products and services in the open market.”

“This is a positive story happening on a national scale. And it was something I wanted to share with other First Nations people of the world and the various international government representatives at EMRIP.”

Australia proposed Indigenous economic empowerment as a topic for a future study by EMRIP with the proposal being accepted.

The forum noted Australia’s strong presence at EMRIP, its substantial contribution, and the mutual respect between the Australian Government representatives and Indigenous Australian Non-government-organisation representatives.