Amnesty International will, as part of its participation in at the Yabun Festival in Sydney on 26 January, urge Australian governments to advance the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through comprehensive implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in laws, policies and programs.

Amnesty International is launching a plain-English, illustrated booklet version of the UN Declaration, featuring commentary from some of Australia’s Indigenous leaders, at the day-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Amnesty International’s “Speak Out” tent at the Yabun Festival will also host a lecture by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma, as well as panel discussions and a talking circle.

The UN Declaration reaffirms the rights of all Indigenous peoples, seeks to acknowledge injustices suffered, and sets minimum standards for their survival, dignity and well-being.

“We will be working hard to make sure that the principles in this Declaration are used by all layers of governments, including local councils, in the development of laws, policies and programs,” said Amnesty International Australia’s Indigenous Rights Campaigner, Rodney Dillon.

Australia was one of only four countries to oppose the Declaration when it was adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2007. Amnesty International therefore applauded the Australian Government’s unqualified statement of support for the Declaration at Parliament House in Canberra in April 2009.

“Amnesty International wants to ensure that the Declaration is a living document, easily accessible throughout Australia to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples so that they are empowered to assert their rights,” said Rodney Dillon.

The booklet to be launched at the Yabun Festival includes a foreword from Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Studies at the Australian National University, Mick Dodson, and reflections by a range of Indigenous Australians: Larissa Behrendt, Joe Morrison, Chris Sarra, Tom Calma, Pat Anderson, Mick Adams, Terri Janke, and Sheena Graham, who is a member of the Board of Amnesty International Australia.

The paintings in the booklet include artists’ interpretations of the Declaration and were done by Lindsay Bird, Harold Payne and Jessie and Karen Bird Ngal from Mulga Bore in central Australia.

Booklets are available from the Amnesty International Action Centre in Sydney or on the day at the Yabun Festival.

The Yabun Festival takes place on 26 January at Victoria Park, Camperdown, Sydney. The festival is broadcast around Australia on the National Indigenous Radio Service and streams via the Gadigal website.

Program for the Amnesty International Speak Out tent at the Yabun Festival

10.00-11.00am – Kevin Cook Annual Lecture
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma

11.15am-12.00pm - Launch of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples booklet produced by Amnesty International Australia
Tom Calma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Claire Mallinson, National Director Amnesty International Australia
Rodney Dillon, Indigenous Rights Campaigner Amnesty International Australia

1.00-2.00pm - Panel discussion – ‘Haven’t we got a right?’
Marianne Mackay, Co-Deputy of the WA Black Deaths in Custody Watch Committee
Elaine Peckham, an Aboriginal woman speaking on the impact of the NT intervention
Steven Ross, Coordinator of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations

2.45-3.00pm – Panel discussion – ‘Whatever happened to the revolution?’
Norma Ingram, Wiradjuri woman, NSW activist and education specialist
Paul Coe, Wiradjuri man, NSW activist and founder of the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service
Michael Anderson, Gamilaroi man and involved with the Aboriginal tent embassy in Canberra

4.00-5.00pm – Talking Circle
Open discussion on Aboriginal issues