Indigenous Peoples and the Commonwealth
Organized by Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action (FAIRA)

The subject of Indigenous Peoples' Rights in the Commonwealth was addressed by Les Malezer (Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action, (FAIRA). The Commonwealth area includes 52 countries, of which 32 are small states, particularly vulnerable to external economic forces.

The advancement of indigenous rights in the Commonwealth countries is far from consistent. Furthermore, such advancement is not related to the size and the level of socio-economic status development of the indigenous community. Australia, with the second highest standard of living in the world, still maintains an oppressive policy towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, despite recognising customs and traditions under common law in 1992. A similar situation is apparent in South Africa, who introduced indigenous constitutional rights this year, and even worse in Guyana where it has not even been considered.

In spite of achieving sovereign status as indigenous nations, many Pacific states (e.g. Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa and Vanuatu) do not guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples. Thus, Mr. Malezer explained that these countries "were at the whim of Wall Street fluctuations' because they are too small to be completely self-sufficient and financially independent." Globalisation, he added, is a threat to their cultural heritage.

Mr. Kiribati went on to explain his work as Coordinator of the Commonwealth Association of Indigenous Peoples (CAIP), which has legitimate representation at Commonwealth Forums, such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Abuja, Nigeria in December 2003. Amongst their objectives are the promotion and unification of indigenous rights across the Commonwealth and the creation of support networks to eliminate racial discrimination and "cultural genocide."

"Pole-lead politics," he concluded, was responsible for the inconsistency of official policy towards the recognition of Indigenous rights in Australia, (Mr. Malezer's home country). High incarceration levels (60% whereas Aboriginal population is only 3% of the total population), alcoholism, drug-abuse and low levels of life expectancy are the consequences of such politics.

By: James Gasteen and Clément Therme

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