Social Justice Report

The 208 page national Social Justice Report 2011 [PDF] concerned with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice features eight recommendations. It gives effect to s 46C(1)(a) of the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth), with the national Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner submitting a report regarding "the enjoyment and exercise of human rights" by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, along with recommendations regarding action that should be taken.

The recommendations are -

Constitutional recognition

1. That the Australian Government make the report of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians public as soon as practicable following its submission.

2. That the Australian Government establish a campaign and appoint a community engagement team to drive forward the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s Constitution.

3. That the Australian Government fully resource a popular education strategy to be developed and rolled out from early 2012 to:

• engage the wider community in relation to the proposals for change and the reasons why they have been proposed
• provide an opportunity for the Australian community to discuss and debate the options and express views on the change to be taken to a referendum.

Northern Territory Intervention

4. The Australian Government work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Northern Territory to overcome disadvantage and identify and address other issues of concern in their communities, through the establishment of legislation, programs and policies, as necessary, which are consistent with international human rights standards.
International human rights mechanisms

5. That the Australian Government take steps to formally respond to, and implement, recommendations which advance the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, made by international human rights mechanisms, including:

• treaty reporting bodies
• the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples
• United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
• Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Statement or Charter of Engagement

6. That the Australia Government develop a ‘Statement or Charter of Engagement’ to complement
Engaging Today, Building Tomorrow: A framework for engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This document should include the Government’s commitment to be guided by the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples when engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including the right to participate in decision-making, and the principle of free, prior and informed consent.
Implementation of the recommendations from Social Justice Reports

7. That the Australian Government should implement outstanding recommendations from the Social Justice Report 2010 and provide a formal response for next year’s Report which outlines the Government’s progress against the recommendations from both the Social Justice Report 2010 and Social Justice Report 2011.

Implementation of the Declaration

8. That the Australian Government work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to develop a national strategy to ensure the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples are given full effect.

The report's discussion of lateral violence, identity and self-realisation is of particular interest.