The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples says if Australia doesn't commit to doing better, it doesn't belong on the Council at all.
The report’s findings, due for release tomorrow, are scathing of Australia's human rights record.
Back in April, UN Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz criticised Australian political leaders for the high rate of Indigenous youth in detention, for failing to respect Indigenous Australians’ “right to self-determination” and criticised the Indigenous Advancement Strategy as bureaucratic and rigid.
Ms Tauli-Corpuz told NITV News at the time of her previous 15-day Australian tour her role is to visit countries to see the situation of how Indigenous peoples’ rights are being respected, protected or violated.
“The report will contain my initial observations, my analysis of the situation, as well as recommendations… I am presenting to the government as well as the Indigenous peoples themselves,” she said.
Amnesty International also presented its concerns on the soaring incarceration rates of Indigenous youth and showed the UN video of abuse at the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre.
Tammy Solonec, Amnesty International Australia Indigenous Rights Manager, reiterated the sentiment. She told NITV News: "If Australia wants to be a member of the Human Rights Council, then they need to be a global leader in human rights, so they need to desperately address the situation of Indigenous people in incarceration in Australia and particularly the situation of Indigenous children."
