Tens of Thousands march for Indigenous Rights to New Zealand Parliament by NYT, news agencies   19 Nov. 2024   Over 50,000 people marched to outside New Zealand's Parliament in Wellington on Tuesday to protest legislation that would dilute Indigenous rights by reinterpreting a treaty signed in 1840 by the British Crown and more than 500 Maori chiefs.   The peaceful demonstration was the culmination of a nine-day march, or hikoi, that began at Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand and the most spiritually significant place in the country for Maori, who comprise 20% of the 5.3 million-person population.   The Treaty Principles Bill targeting the Treaty of Waitangi, or Te Tiriti o Waitangi, is being pushed by the ACT New Zealand party, a junior partner in the right wing coalition government, which also includes the National Party and New Zealand First (NZF).   Although the National and NZF have said that they are only supporting the legislation for the first of the three readings—meaning it is highly unlikely to pass—Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of the Maori Party, or Te Pati Maori, said that even allowing it to be tabled is a "deep shame."   "We deserve better than to be used as political pawns," said Ngarewa-Packer. "The fact that National Party has decided that we were tradeable and the mana of the coalition agreement was so much more important than the mana of Te Tiriti and tangata is the deepest betrayal that we've ever had from a National government."   Pointing to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who won earlier this month after being ousted in the previous cycle, Ngarewa-Packer added, "We're a country that had the first women's vote, we have always punched above our weight in the anti-nuclear space, the anti-discrimination space, and here we are in 2024 with the sort of Trump-like culture coming into our politics."   The New York Times noted that "a year before American voters' anger over the cost of living helped Donald J. Trump win the presidency, similar sentiments in New Zealand thrust in the nation's most conservative government in decades. Now, New Zealand bears little resemblance to the country recently led by Jacinda Ardern, whose brand of compassionate, progressive politics made her a global symbol of anti-Trump liberalism."   "The new government—a coalition of the main right wing party and two smaller, more populist ones—has reversed many of Ms. Ardern's policies. It has rescinded a world-leading ban on smoking for future generations, repealed rules designed to address climate change, and put a former arms industry lobbyist in charge of overhauling the nation's strict gun laws.   And in a country that has been celebrated for elevating the status of Māori, its Indigenous people, it has challenged their rights and the prominence of their culture and language in public life, driving a wedge into New Zealand society and setting off waves of protests".   Parliament was briefly suspended last Thursday after Maori members staged a traditional dance called a haka to disrupt the first reading. The haka—which garnered global attention—was started by Member of Parliament Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, who tore up a copy of the bill.   Speaking to the Wellington crowd on Tuesday, Maipi-Clarke, "We are the sovereign people of this land and the world is watching us here, not because of the system, not because of the rules, but because we haka."   Other participants in the action included the Maori Queen, Nga Wai Hono i te Po, and Te Pati Maori Co-Leader Rawiri Waititi, who led the crowd in a chant to "kill the bill."   The Northern Advocate reported taht ACT Leader David Seymour, "the architect of the Treaty Principles Bill, was booed inside the Beehive today by the tens of thousands protesting against his controversial bill."   Ella Henry, professor of Maori Entrepreneurship at Auckland University of Technology, warned the bill was an effort to roll back New Zealand's previous progress in terms of relations with Indigenous people.   "So we have gathered in our tens of thousands, not just Maori, but others who support an inclusive, diverse, equal partnership that our country has been a world leader in pioneering," Henry toreporters. "Those are the people who are marching."   Hayley Komene, who is from the Ngati Kauwhata tribe, told Guardian News that there was a "real strength and pride" at the march, and "there are people from lots of different backgrounds here for the same reason to protest the Government and the outrageous bill."   Komene also criticized the government's Maori policies as "absolutely ridiculous" and stressed that "Te Tiriti is a constitutional document of our country."   http://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/19/tens-of-thousands-to-converge-on-nz-parliament-as-march-to-protest-controversial-maori-rights-bill-reaches-capital http://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/18/world/asia/new-zealand-conservative-maori-protest.html
	Truth-telling – the heart of reconciliation by Reconciliation Australia, HREOC, agencies   Nov. 2024   Reconciliation Australia: 800 reconciliation leaders and supporters from all around Australia will gather in Brisbane from 6-7 November to discuss the urgent need for stronger commitments and actions to fight for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, and to be guided by First Nations voices.   Fiona Jose, CEO of the Cape York Partnership will share her insights into the urgent work of reconciliation during her keynote address. Joshua Creamer, Chair of Queensland’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and Sue-Anne Hunter, Deputy Chair of Victoria’s Yoorrook Justice Commission will discuss the state of truth-telling and its vital importance during the opening: Truth-telling – the beating heart of reconciliation.   1 Nov. 2024   Ending the Queensland Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry is harmful and divisive - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss   The Queensland Government’s decision to abolish the state’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and repeal its Path to Treaty Act marks a major step backwards for First Nations rights, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss.   Newly-elected Premier David Crisafulli, who was sworn into office this week, said yesterday he will follow through on his election promise to end the Queensland’s truth- telling inquiry, which is underway, and repeal its treaty legislation.   Commissioner Kiss, a proud Kaanju and Biri/Widi woman who grew up in Rockhampton on the lands of the Darumbal People, was previously the Executive Director of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body supporting Queensland’s Path to Treaty.   “The decision to scrap the Inquiry, denying our First Nations People a chance to share their stories to help accurately convey our state’s history, is extremely disrespectful and harmful,” Commissioner Kiss said.   “It is disrespectful to communities, but also to the many people who put in years of work to make this Inquiry happen. This includes the contributions of everyday Queenslanders – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – who provided invaluable input to support truth, justice and healing.   “The inaugural truth-telling hearings of the Commission that occurred in September showed the enormous contribution that this process can make to public understanding of the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland, building a basis for dialogue, understanding and compassion. These hearings showed the immense benefits truth-telling has for everyone.   “The Path to Treaty was something our People have long called for. They believe this is what is needed to bring Queenslanders together in a way that fosters unity, understanding, respect, dignity and wellbeing for all. In particular, those Elders who have lived experience of the impacts of colonial policies and practices of the past, and our families and communities who experience the ongoing trauma and effects.   “Now more than ever, we need policies that promote reconciliation and unity – not division and discord. First Nations Queenslanders deserve and need to have their rights upheld and their stories heard.”   Commissioner Kiss has written to Premier Crisafulli, urging him to reconsider his decision and offering to work collaboratively with his government to achieve better outcomes for First Nations people in Queensland.   “I am very keen to establish a positive working relationship with the new Queensland Government – supporting it to advance the human rights of First Nations people. Truth-telling about past and ongoing injustice is critical to advancing human rights and building a better future for First Nations people and all Queenslanders. I urge the Premier to reconsider his decision," Commissioner Kiss said.   “With the absence now of a First Nations member in the new Queensland Government, it is of great importance to include First Nations People in decisions that affect them. That means meeting with us, talking with us and hearing and incorporating our views into decisions that will impact us all.”   http://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/ending-qld-truth-telling-and-healing-inquiry-harmful-and-divisive http://www.qld.gov.au/firstnations/treaty/resources-support http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/02/queensland-truth-telling-inquiry-chair-says-premier-hugely-disrespectful-to-demand-work-cease-via-media http://nit.com.au/05-11-2024/14697/national-rap-conference-to-address-fallout-from-path-to-treaty-repeal http://nit.com.au/01-11-2024/14640/ending-qld-truth-telling-and-healing-inquiry-is-divisive-indigenous-human-rights-commissioner-says http://www.qcoss.org.au/coss-network-calls-for-queensland-government-to-engage-respectfully-with-first-nations-queenslanders/ http://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/latenightlive/marcia-langton-on-the-defeat-of-truth-telling/104624350 http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/we-cant-handle-the-truth-queensland-premier-scraps-truth-telling-and-healing-inquiry/r54yo6tbx http://www.themandarin.com.au/280198-truth-telling-commission-chair-denounces-unprecedented-political-attack/   http://www.reconciliation.org.au/publication/coming-to-terms-with-the-past-identifying-barriers-and-enablers-to-truth-telling/ http://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2024/11/04/2024-charles-perkins-oration-joshua-creamer-makes-the-case-for-truth-telling.html http://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/opinions/year-our-voice-broke-fallout-failed-referendum-0 http://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/news-stories/truth-telling-has-never-been-more-important http://www.coalitionofpeaks.org.au/media/a-year-on-from-referendum-three-things-we-achievednbspthree-areas-we-must-keep-the-heat-on http://www.reconciliation.org.au/a-year-after-the-referendum-voice-is-as-important-as-ever/ http://www.reconciliation.org.au/raps-collective-impact-changing-systems/ http://ulurustatement.org/prof-megan-davis-delivers-2024-uq-naidoc-keynote-lecture/ http://www.coalitionofpeaks.org.au/media/community-control-always-was-and-always-will-be-key-to-closing-the-gap   11 Oct. 2024   Northern Territory Government urged not to lower age of criminal responsibility to 10 years old.   The National Children’s Commissioner, Anne Hollonds, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Commissioner, Katie Kiss, have urged the Northern Territory Government to reverse its plan next week to introduce a new law to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to ten years.   The Commissioners have again warned that a ‘tough on crime’ approach will in fact contribute to an increase in criminal activity, rather than address the root issues of offending by children by focusing on education, healthcare and family support.   National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds said: “We all want to live in safe communities, but this plan by the NT Government goes against what all the evidence has shown we need to do to achieve that. It is absolutely critical that they reconsider.   “The younger a child comes into contact with the criminal justice system, the more likely they will go on to commit more serious and violent crimes. Lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years will not make communities safer, it will only see rates of child offending increase. These are primary school age children, and harsh, punitive responses are not the answer.   “The fact that this new law will be brought to the NT Parliament clearly shows its government has misunderstood the problem and solutions based on evidence. It also shows the other systems meant to help children with complex needs, and their families, such as health and education, have failed.   “I urge the NT government to read our landmark report tabled in the Australian Parliament last month, ‘Help Way Earlier!’ How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing. Our 24 recommendations offer a roadmap for reform that increases community safety and keeps our kids out of prison. Prevention and early intervention to address the drivers of offending by children is the only way we can achieve better outcomes for all.”   Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss said: ​“Lowering the age of criminal responsibility condemns First Nations children to a lifetime of abuse, deprivation and disadvantage. Our children are disproportionately affected by the failing ‘tough on crime’ approach, which only serves to perpetuate racial profiling and negative stereotyping.   “The NT’s proposed laws, which will combine reducing the age of criminal responsibility will have a significant impact on First Nations children in the child justice system and their families. It also undermines the NT Government’s commitments under the national Closing the Gap agreement.   “Instead of finding positive solutions, we are instead criminalising First Nations children, and children with disabilities, learning problems and mental health issues. The consequences for us all if this practice continues is dire.   "Recent tragedies and deaths in custody and the child protection system clearly show that current approaches are not working. Kids need care, love and support so they can shake off generational disadvantage, have hope for their futures and feel they are valued and belong.   “I hope the NT Government heeds our call, listens to the experts and puts the futures of our children front of mind.”   NT Opposition Leader Selena Uibo said the move was "dooming young Aboriginal Territorians to a life of disadvantage, reduced opportunities and poorer education outcomes".   "We know – because all of the evidence tells us this – that the earlier a child comes into contact with the criminal justice system, the more prolonged their involvement is likely to be," she said. "We want to see children held accountable for bad behaviour but then supported to get on a better path, to re-engage with school."   Arnhem Land elder and independent Mulka MLA Yiŋiya Guyula said "This government will lock up children who are so young they don't know what they're doing yet," Mr Guyula said. "These children will be scarred and traumatised for life by a government who have taken them from their country and culture. "This will not make our communities a safer place. It will not protect our children or fix the problem of crime."   Larrakia leader Patj Patj Janama Robert Mills said diversionary programs were needed to teach children "the right path and keep them off the wrong path".   "To lock up a 10-year-old child, regardless of their race, I believe is an international crime against humanity," he said. "It's just heartbreaking, soul-destroying. Why would anybody do this?"   NT's children's commissioner Shahleena Musk, a Larrakia woman from Darwin, told the BBC Aboriginal children were less likely to be cautioned, more likely to be charged and pursued through the courts, and more likely to be remanded in custody than non-Aboriginal offenders.   “We shouldn't be seeing these kids going into a youth justice system which is harmful, ineffective, and only compounds the very issues we're trying to change.”   http://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/nt-government-urged-not-lower-age-criminal-responsibility http://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/media-releases/nt-youth-crime-laws-fail-children-and-community http://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/childrens-rights/publications/help-way-earlier Visit the related web page
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