TBS congratulates the government on Indigenous Rights pledge

By Adam Valvasori - Values Manager

Today, we'd like to thank and congratulate the Rudd government for advancing human rights in Australia by pledging its strong support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Good timing too, being the day after 'Close the Gap Day'.

Up until now Australia was one of only four countries in the world that voted against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when it was adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2007.

The Declaration is a set of principles which describe equality, non-discrimination, partnership, consultation and cooperation between Indigenous peoples and governments. It is a comprehensive standard on human rights for Indigenous Peoples.

Article 46 of the Declaration states that the ‘Declaration shall be interpreted in accordance with the principles of justice, democracy, respect for human rights, equality, non-discrimination, good governance and good faith’.

For an overview of the Declaration follow this link to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Next month, The Body Shop and Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTaR) will be launching a campaign for mutual respect between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians as a way of progressing this issue... stay tuned!