The 17th session of United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People (EMPRIP) was held in Geneva this month, highlighting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child removals.
On 9 July, United Nations Permanent Forum for the Rights of Indigenous Issues member Associate Professor Hannah McGlade, South Australian Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People April Lawrie, and Australian Human Rights Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Katie Kiss spoke at the session.
The three advocates amplified the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children under international law, and highlighted the ongoing crisis of removals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their family, community and culture.
On the closing day, EMRIP made proposals to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Proposal 14 is that Australian state authorities should "support and meaningfully facilitate the right of self-determination for Indigenous peoples", recognising self-determination is critical for Indigenous peoples when addressing child welfare matters.
In 2023, Dr McGlade and the Noongar Family Safety Wellbeing Council requested EMRIP's country engagement visit to Western Australia, visiting Perth, Albany, and Geraldton, where they met with local Aboriginal people and communities to gain insight into the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.