3. Social Justice Policies and Equity

Social justice policies are meant to be applicable to all Australian Citizens, setting out a framework for protections for all to enjoy and rely upon. 

Social justice policies stem from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is an international treaty drafted after World War II, to maintain international peace and security, to develop friendly relations among nations, and to achieve global cooperation. 

All United Nations (UN) member states are bound by this treaty. Australia is one of the UN member states. The UDHR therefore informs Australian law and policies. 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states the basic rights and freedoms to which all peoples are entitled. Look at the following link for a graphic summary of the UDHR. 

 

The following link takes you to more information on Australia’s connection to the United Nations: 

Additional to the UDHR is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples (UNDRIP). This declaration goes further to state specific issues faced by Indigenous peoples around the globe. UNDRIP specifies fundamental rights such as; non-discrimination, self-determination (including autonomy and participation rights), cultural integrity, rights to lands, territories and natural resources, and other rights relating to socio-economic welfare.  

 

Visit the following site to review the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples (UNDRIP): 

UNDRIP summary:  

 

Consider the following question in preparation for your weekly Q&A sessions with your trainer: 

UNDRIP supports the rights for self-determination for Indigenous people in Australia and around the world. How does UNDRIP support this? 

Self-government and Regional Autonomy  

In 1998, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) held an international conference to consider the role of self-determination in preventing conflict and contributing to peace and security. The experts at the conference agreed that self-determination is: 

an ongoing process of choice for the achievement of human security and fulfilment of human needs with a broad scope of possible outcomes and expressions suited to different specific situations. These can include, but are not limited to, guarantees of cultural security, forms of self-governance and autonomy, economic self-reliance, effective participation at the international level, land rights and the ability to care for the natural environment, spiritual freedom and the various forms that ensure the free expression and protection of collective identity in dignity. 

This description identifies several key features of Indigenous self-determination. Especially that self-determination is a process for the achievement of human security and the fulfilment of human needs. 

The core principle of self-determination is basically that; peoples should collectively have control over, and be able to make decisions about, their own lives. This includes related concepts, such as: group autonomy, self-government, independence, democracy and non-interference.  

The concept of self-determination has its roots in the Enlightenment and the French and American Revolutions. As a legal right at international law, self-determination began to take hold after the Second World War. Proclaimed as a goal of international governance under Article 1(2) of the Charter of the United Nations. Self-determination soon became legal. On 28th May 2000, over 300,000 people walked across the Sydney Harbour bridge in support for reconciliation. Basis for Decolonisation. 

Self-government has additional connotations. This implies a separation from the rights and freedoms as set out for all Australian citizens and may include a loss of services such as Medicare. The level of negotiations for self-government are not something to be rushed. Due to the great diversity amongst Indigenous peoples in Australia, the process towards self-determination, self-government and autonomy is quite complicated. It is vital to ensure that the freedoms and social services that are working for Aboriginal peoples’, are not lost in the process. Though taking (more) time may be frustrating, it is essential to ensure that Aboriginal peoples do not end up being further disadvantaged.