Building understanding between Indigenous Peoples and the state
On Friday, 21 March 2025, the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) partnered with the Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action (FAIRA) to host Dr Albert K. Barume, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This event marked the International Day (21 March) of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Paul Girrawah House, a Ngambri and Ngunnawal custodian, welcomed Dr Barume and guests onto Country with a traditional smoking ceremony outside Coombs Extension. Guests then enjoyed a morning tea hosted by colleagues at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs. Professor Bina D’Costa chaired a roundtable discussion featuring Les Malezer, Paul Girrawah House, Dr George Carter, Dr Virginia Marshall, Dr Binota Dhamai, and others. The conversation focused on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted on 13 September 2007 by the UN General Assembly following decades of advocacy through the global Indigenous Peoples’ movement, in Australia context.
Dr Barume, appointed as Special Rapporteur in December 2024, spoke at a RegNet seminar about pathways to building mutual understanding between Indigenous Peoples and the State. He emphasised that Indigenous Peoples, in exercising their rights, must be free from any form of discrimination. Dr Barume highlighted the valuable opportunity to renew and strengthen the State's commitment to combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. He particularly stressed the importance of fully and effectively implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and fostering constructive engagement with the UN's institutional framework established to eradicate racial discrimination against Indigenous Peoples.
Dr Barume’s role as Special Rapporteur involves promoting good practices for implementing international standards on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. He makes recommendations on appropriate measures to prevent and remedy violations of these rights and reports on Indigenous Peoples’ human rights situations worldwide.
Les Malezer, Director of FAIRA, also spoke at the seminar. He discussed the significance of the Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, emphasising that Australian Indigenous Peoples should be free from discrimination of any kind. He highlighted that they are equal to all other peoples, called for the elimination of discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia, and emphasised that their right to self-determination must be recognised.
The special lunchtime talk attracted over 80 participants, including academic staff, students, government officials, representatives from The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and, members of the public, among others. It was an honour to host Dr Barume with the support of the ARC Centre for Excellence of Indigenous Future and the Tjabal Centre, and we look forward to continuing meaningful partnerships in this space.
