Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Rights Issues | Non-governmental organisation (NGO)

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Rights Issues

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25.01.2022 In and out of detention for 20 years, Donna Blair makes a fresh start with support from Sisters Inside Inc. More on #ThePoint 8.30pm on NITV.

25.01.2022 Torres Strait Islanders fear time running out for legal recognition of traditional adoptions ABC Far North / By Mark Rigby Key points: Traditional adoption prac...tices, kupai omasker, allow children to be adopted by relatives or community members The Queensland Government promised to recognise it in law in its next term if it retained power at the 2017 state election Minister says legislation is "essentially ready to go" but has only a small window to introduce and pass it through Parliament Campaigners for the recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional adoption practices are increasingly concerned time is running out for the Queensland Government to deliver on its 2017 election promise to acknowledge it in law. The practice, kupai omasker, has been enshrined in Torres Strait Islander lore for generations but is not recognised in state legislation. It allows a child to be adopted by a relative or community member for a multitude of reasons that differ between the region's dozens of island cultures. Heron Loban from Griffith University's school of humanities, who is herself a Torres Strait Islander, said the practice strengthened ties between islander families and communities. "Examples include where a family requires an heir to carry on the important role of looking after land or being the caretaker of land," Dr Loban said. See weblink for more information https://www.abc.net.au//torres-strait-concern-no-/12319446

18.01.2022 Noongar woman, Senior Constable Wendy Kelly, shares touching highlights from her 20 year career as an Indigenous police officer including being part of the Our Law documentary.

15.01.2022 Elcho Island patients stuck in Darwin for dialysis push to return home | ABC News

14.01.2022 In October, the United Nations will celebrate our 75th anniversary. Leading up to this milestone, discussions have taken place in all settings, from classrooms to boardrooms, across the world. In order to reach as many people as possible, we have built partnerships with youth, civil society, business and media organizations. Now, we want to hear from you! More than ever, your voice matters. Add your photo to one of our photo filters that carry the key words from the UN Charter also celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and share with your friends on your social media platforms using the hashtag #UN75. Join us! https://share.un75.online/

10.01.2022 Shocking claims of misuse of power, prejudice as inquiry targets WA Police By Marta Pascual Juanola July 2, 2020... Police officers in Western Australia's north travelled 300 kilometres to a remote community in the Kimberley to charge an Aboriginal boy with the theft of a pram he had not stolen, according to evidence before a parliamentary committee. In a similar instance, a teenager from Onslow spent two weeks in jail for stealing a $2 ice cream after his bail application was refused following opposition from the prosecution. These are just two of several stories shared by the Aboriginal Legal Service in a parliamentary committee hearing held on Wednesday examining the use of excessive force by police. An ALS delegation, including prominent Aboriginal advocate Dennis Eggington, accused police of discriminating against Aboriginal people, particularly in rural and remote communities. "Our experience is that Aboriginal people are routinely charged with really minor offences, where if they weren't Aboriginal they wouldn't be," ALS director Peter Collins said. "There are good intentions at the top but it's not transferring into the ground to the police officers who deal with Aboriginal people on a daily basis." Mr Collins said Indigenous West Australians were neglected by a "tone deaf" Corruption and Crime Commission, which often failed to investigate allegations of serious misconduct by the police. This left the ALS with no other choice but to bypass the CCC, the delegation said, and raise the complaints directly with police, which meant they were often dealt with internally. "The alternative is to have a separate body which is properly resourced which is confident to examine these sorts of issues to hold police accountable," Mr Collins said. Earlier in the day, Police Commissioner Chris Dawson gave evidence to the committee, stating WA police had been involved in more than 13 million call-outs since 2014 and had used appropriate force in the vast majority of cases. He said the introduction of body cameras had increased accountability for officers and all complaints involving police staff were now investigated internally under the gaze of the CCC. Mr Dawson said he did not see any "compelling reason to need an independent body" adding that more funding and resources for the CCC could likely result in more complaints being investigated. Valdo Sorgiovanni, the officer in charge of overseeing the professional standards at WA Police, said the department had set up a "special spreadsheet" to record complaints against officers by Aboriginal West Australians in a bid to ensure they were investigated thoroughly. He described the relationship between police and the CCC as transparent and sound, with daily reporting and monthly meetings to raise matters of concern. When asked about the relationship between police and Aboriginal people, Mr Dawson said progress was being made but more needed to be done. "Police have daily contact with Aboriginal people," he said. "They are over-represented as victims of crime and they are also over-represented in our prisons. "I'm confident that we've got the right attention and focus and the relationship is one that we are meant to continue to improve and I see massive improvement occurring." NEWS SOURCE: WA TODAY @ https://www.watoday.com.au//shocking-claims-of-misuse-of-p

09.01.2022 Over the past three years, about 250 people under the age of 21 have been arrested for assault in the Darwin region. And earlier this year, a 15-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the Bagot community. Victims of violence and their families say there are glaring gaps in support systems that could prevent trouble occurring. Sowaibah Hanifie has this story.

06.01.2022 Rising Indigenous cancer death rates are being overlooked, experts say Over the past 18 years, death rates from cancer in the general Australian population have fallen by 13 per cent. But the rates for Indigenous Australians have risen by 21 per cent over the same period.... And cancer has overtaken cardio-vascular disease as the biggest killer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders during the past two years, but experts say nothing about their experience of cancer treatment has changed in that time. See weblink for more info https://www.abc.net.au//rising-indigenous-cancer/12389792

03.01.2022 'These are the people that hundreds of thousands of Australians walk the streets for': The names of Indigenous people who have died in custody since 2017 have been read aloud in an emotional address to the Senate by Senator Malarndirri McCarthy.

02.01.2022 Key points: There are 36 Aboriginal police cadets in Western Australia Zarelda Dickens is the first to be posted to remote community police station... There are hopes that the cadet program will help overcome historical tensions