Australia's commitment to 'advance the human rights of indigenous peoples around the globe' on the United Nations Human Rights Council

• Published in: Adelaide law review Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 363 - 393
• Main Authors: Kishaya Delaney, Amy Maguire, Fiona McGaughey
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: 01-12-2020
• Subjects: Civil rights; Evaluation; Human rights; Indigenous peoples; Law and legislation; Social aspects; United Nations Human Rights Council; Australia
• ISSN: 0065-1915

In 2018, Australia took up its first three-year term as a Member State of the United Nations Human Rights Council ('UNHRC'). In its bid for election, Australia made a number of voluntary commitments in relation to its human rights performance as a member. In this article, we consider the six elements of Australia's pledge relating to Indigenous rights at domestic and international levels. Although it is too early to assess Australia's overall performance on the UNHRC, an assessment of current human rights practice in relation to these six areas provides a helpful snapshot of contemporary Indigenous affairs and rights realisation in Australia. After considering Australia's performance within this framework, we advance recommendations for the constructive development of Australian law and policy in the future and in particular, advocate for the adoption of the 'Uluru Statement from the Heart ('Uluru Statement')'. We also identify ways in which Australia can advance the rights of Indigenous peoples around the world.