Right to self determination

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Article 1 of both Covenants

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Article 1 of both Covenants

The right to self-determination is contained in article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and in article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Article 1 of both Covenants states:

1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.
3. The States Parties to the present Covenant, including those having responsibility for the administration of Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories, shall promote the realization of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

A right of peoples rather than individuals

The right to self-determination is a right of 'peoples' rather than of individuals.

The Human Rights Committee has declined to consider individual complaints about the right under the First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR. It is, however, possible that in an appropriate case an organisation or an individual might be able to bring a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission regarding respect for or protection of this right.

Self determination and the Australian people

The system of Government established under the Commonwealth Constitution involves the exercise of the right to self determination by the whole Australian people. This includes

• the adoption and amendment of that Constitution from time to time;
• the continued existence and functions of the Australian States under the Constitution, and provision for self government of Territories,
• provision for free and fair elections; the rule of law; and specific measures to protect human rights.

The right to self determination, together with the rights recognised in Article 25 of the ICCPR, may also be seen as relevant to issues of open and accountable government and to ensuring consultation with and appropriate participation in decision making for people affected by Government decisions.

Constitutional reform

The Commission is working in support of constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia's first peoples.

Self determination and Australia's first peoples

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples | Self determination and native title | National Congress of Australia's First Peoples | Northern Territory Emergency Response |

The right to self determination has particular application to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia's first peoples.

• Self determination is an ‘on going process of choice' to ensure that Indigenous communities are able to meet their social, cultural and economic needs. It is not about creating a separate Indigenous ‘state'.

• The right to self determination is based on the simple acknowledgment that Indigenous peoples are Australia's first people, as was recognised by law in the historic Mabo judgement.

• The loss of this right to live according to a set of common values and beliefs, and to have that right respected by others, is at the heart of the current disadvantage experienced by Indigenous Australians.
• Without self-determination it is not possible for Indigenous Australians to fully overcome the legacy of colonisation and dispossession. (Social justice and human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australian Human Rights Commission, 2003)

The right of self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is in addition to the right which everyone has to freedom from discrimination (including under ICCPR articles 2.1 and 26) and which members of all ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities have to enjoy their own culture, profess and practice their religion, and use their own religion.

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The right to self determination as it applies to indigenous peoples is explained further in Article 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Declaration also informs understanding of how other existing rights specifically apply to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This was acknowledged on behalf of the Australian Government by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in her speech on behalf of the Australian Government marking Australia's formal endorsement of the Declaration:

“Australia's existing international obligations are mirrored in the Declaration”.

Australia's response to the Universal Periodic Review recommendations in June 2011 stated that the Australian Government supports promotion of and respect for the principles in the Declaration.

Accordingly

• the Declaration informs the way Australian governments should engage with and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Indigenous people
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be closely involved in the development and implementation of policies and programs that impact on them.
• This should include ensuring that they have the opportunity to participate in the making of such decisions through the processes of democratic government, and are able to exercise meaningful control over their affairs.

Self determination and native title

The Commission has particular responsibilities for monitoring and reporting on the operation of the system for recognition of native title in view of the significant of land and sea rights for the effective realisation of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to self determination. Click here for more on the Commission and native title including

• Native Title Reports 1994 -

• Submissions focussing on Native Title Issues by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

• Corporate Responsibility: Developing Human Rights Principles for resource development on Aboriginal Land

National Congress of Australia's First Peoples

The Commission worked towards and welcomed the establishment of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples as a mechanism for implementation of the right to self determination.

As part of the steering committee, we are proud to have assisted with the creation of the

. The Congress was

incorporated, and its eight founding Directors appointed, on 2 May 2010. Establishment of this body means Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a national representative voice. Governments now have the opportunity to improve outcomes for Indigenous peoples through policies and programs developed in an environment of meaningful engagement. (Commission Annual Report, 2009-10)

Self-determination and the Northern Territory Emergency response

Under article 4 of the ICCPR, countries may take measures derogating from certain of their obligations under the Covenant, 'in time of public emergency which threatens the life of the nation and the existence of which is officially proclaimed'.

Such measures may only be taken 'to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, provided that such measures are not inconsistent with their other obligations under international law and do not involve discrimination solely on the ground of race, colour, sex, language, religion or social origin.'

While derogation to article 1 is not explicitly precluded, such derogation may be inconsistent with Australia's 'other obligations under international law', given that article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations refers to 'the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples' when enumerating the purposes of the UN.

The Commission has made clear in

regarding the implementation and need for revision of the Northern Territory Emergency Response that the situation prompting the Intervention does not satisfy the conditions for derogation from Australia's obligations under the core human rights instruments and that measures in this area need to be designed and implemented consistent with these obligations.

International scrutiny

• Human Rights Committee General Comment number 12: The right to self determination
• See our pages on international scrutiny of indigenous rights

More information

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

• Talking rights: Consulting with Victoria's Indigenous community about self-determination and the Charter - Mar 2011
• Indigenous self-determination and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities: A framework for discussion - Mar 2010