Resolution for a Sustainable World
with Room for all the Worlds

 

(from SOS, Students of Sustainability Conference,
Brisbane, Queensland, 12 July 2006)

 

Aboriginal Elders and Students of Sustainability state:

 

  1. Aboriginal natural Law/Lore, land and spirituality are the root-title of Aboriginal Sovereignty, which has never been ceded. We demand an end to the colonial occupation in Australia, which is illegal under international law.

 

  1. Aboriginal Nations and Peoples hold the oldest spirituality, languages, Law/Lore, cultures, intellectual property and traditions, which are the well-spring of sustainability for this land for now and the future.

 

  1. We demand an end to the on-going genocidal, forced assimilation (mainstreaming) policies against Aboriginal Nations and Peoples.

 

  1. We demand an end to the continuing and systematic crimes against humanity perpetrated against Aboriginal Nations and Peoples.

 

  1. We demand an end to the on-going systematic and institutionalised genocide perpetrated againstAboriginal Nations and Peoples, including removal of children; mental harm; killings; preventing reproduction; and conditions of life set to destroy the group in whole or in part.

 

  1. We demand a prohibition of uranium mining; nuclear waste dumps, mining of sacred sites and the poisoning of lands and waters. The Australian Government must apply the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent concerning all development that impacts Aboriginal Peoples.

 

  1. We demand restitution and reparation for the crimes committed against Aboriginal Nations and Peoples since 1788. Reparation includes the establishment of Aboriginal spirituality and cultural schools open to all nationalities.

 

  1. We demand the Australian Government enters into a Peace Accord with Aboriginal Nations and Peoples for future peaceful coexistence.

 

  1. We demand the Australian Government adopts the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, when it is put before the General Assembly of the United Nations.

 

  1. We demand the Australian Government immediately ratifies the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage.

 

  1. We demand that the true Aboriginal Leadership is listened to and not the Aboriginal Leadership selected by governments and media.

 

  1. To accelerate the end of colonialism in all its forms we demand Prime Minister, John Howard, Attorney-General, Phillip Ruddock, Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, Minister for Health, Tony Abbott and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Mal Brough step down.