About Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is the most comprehensive tool we have to advance and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Declaration was adopted in September 2007 by the General Assembly of the United Nations and was supported by the Australian Government in 2009. It is a comprehensive state of principles that guide the work of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner.

The Declaration is based on the fundamental rights of self-determination, participation in decision-making, respect for and protection of culture, and equality and non-discrimination.

These four principles guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, government, civil society and the private sector as they work to realise the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Complaints by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

People who experience discrimination can complain to the Commission.

Our work on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice

The Australian Human Rights Commission works to ensure governments, the private sector and civil society acknowledge and implement the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to self-determination, participation in decision-making, respect for and protection of culture, and equality and non-discrimination.

The Commission also recognises the distinctive rights Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples hold as the original peoples of this land.

We participate in the development of international human rights standards relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and we co-chair the Indigenous health campaign, Close The Gap.
 
This work is led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar AO.

Our other activities include:
•    Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women's Voices)
•    Supporting Indigenous education initiatives
•    monitoring the impact of laws, policies and programs on Indigenous peoples
•    providing policy advice and research on Indigenous human rights issues including health, family violence, children’s rights and the ‘Stolen Generations’