First Nations Justice


Our vision
: A fair legal system that is free from racial injustice and that upholds the principles of dignity, equality and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ right to self-determination.

Our focus


  • We advocate for a fair and compassionate youth legal system that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are not locked up and instead, can reach their full potential, supported by their families and in their communities.

  • We work to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services and Aboriginal-led organisations to end Aboriginal deaths in custody and provide support to families and communities throughout coronial inquest processes.

  • We work to end the federal government’s oppressive targeting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the social security system and to advocate for a fair social safety net so that all people can live a dignified life.

  • We work to end the mass-imprisonment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and challenge the lack of police accountability.

 

How we work


Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know the solutions to the injustices their communities face – injustices borne of colonisation, ongoing racism and generations of oppressive laws and policies. We strive to work in ways that uphold Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ right to self-determination and support the movement to end systemic racism in the legal system. We work in solidarity with Aboriginal community controlled organisations, peak bodies and the Change the Record coalition. Our partnership principles guide how we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ right to self-determination.

 

What we’re working on

 

Key projects

Our First Nations Justice team is working on these key projects

 

News, reports and explainers

Get the full story with our latest news and opinion pieces, human rights reports and explainers on key issues from our team

How you can help


Donate to support the Human Rights Law Centre

Join the campaign to raise the age of criminal responsibility

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For the media