Review on Self Determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

According to the International covenant of Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, two international agreements Australia has agreed to, as well as the Draft Universal Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples defines the right of self-determination as: 1. All peoples have the right of self determination. By virtue of that right, they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development 2. All …

…people's push for self-determination, the Australian government established the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission to deal with issues affecting with Indigenous Australians. In terms of the ATSIC self-determination was seen as a mechanism by which: 1. Indigenous Australian customary law can be recognized and accommodated in the present legal system 2. Land rights can be determined However in May 2004 ATSIC was dissolved and its powers given to various land councils in order to determine land rights.