Statement on 26 January
26 January is not a day to celebrate.
This day marks invasion, the violent dispossession and attempted erasure of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ sovereignty is inherent and self-existent. Sovereignty was never ceded, and this land always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
As a legal organisation, we acknowledge the role of the colonial legal system in establishing, entrenching, and continuing the oppression and injustice experienced by First Nations peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are leading the resistance to fight laws, policies, and systems that continue to oppress Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people know what is best to achieve justice and self-determination. We stand with First Nations people, communities and organisations in the fight for systemic change.
The time is long overdue for governments to listen and act.
Show your support
Learn about some of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal services and organisations fighting for justice:
Why we need stronger whistleblower protections
In March, Associate Legal Director, Kieran Pender was at the ACT Court of Appeal to observe McBride’s appeal – he is challenging his conviction, and the severity of his sentence.
Read more
International Women’s Day: Rights, equality, empowerment
International Women’s Day is more than an anniversary, it’s a global celebration of what has been achieved over centuries of campaigning and action by women fighting for equality.
Read more
High Court challenge launched for man facing deportation to Nauru
The Human Rights Law Centre has filed an urgent High Court challenge on behalf of a man who was scheduled to be deportated to Nauru. After filing the legal challenge, the Australian Government promised that our client would not be removed before his case was finished.
Read more
Acknowledgement of Country
The Human Rights Law Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia, including the lands of the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Gadigal, Ngunnawal, Darug and Wadawurrung people where we work from.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present. This land always was, and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
WARNING: This site contains images or names of people who have passed away.