Question

Write a note on the principle of self-determination.

Answer 1

Broadly, self-determination for Indigenous means a right to determine their economic, social, political and cultural development. The self-determination is the ability to have self-government. The Indigenous people should be allowed to govern themselves without external forces influencing them. It involves Indigenous peoples making decisions that affect their communities and an entitlement to practice ones culture. Self-determination means that Indigenous peoples can have control, can participate, negotiate, consult, communicate and most importantly have choices. The recognition of self-determination for Indigenous Australians is fundamental for improving the relationship between the Commonwealth of Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The recognition of self-determination is also essential to recognising Indigenous peoples rights.

Self determination is a right for all people as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Self-determination is also specifically a right for all Indigenous peoples as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Malezer, 2009). However, Australia voted against this Declaration (Korosy, 2008:88). During the Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples the Australian government urged for the use of self-determination to be abandoned and instead self-management or self empowerment be used (McGlade, ...). This was due to the concern that self-determination could challenge state sovereignty. Australia never announced their support for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples until 2009 by the Rudd government.

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