UN Special Rapporteur’s findings: Federal Government must take responsibility for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and ensure national minimum standards

13 November 2026

Amnesty International Australia is calling on the Federal Government to turn international scrutiny into meaningful action, following the conclusion of the visit to Australia by UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Dr Albert K. Barume, and backed the Special Rapporteur's call for national minimum mandatory standards on fundamental human rights.

Dr Barume today presented his preliminary findings and recommendations following a two-week visit. Amnesty International warned that the Special Rapporteur's findings must not become another report left on the shelf.

Following meetings with government officials and visits to youth detention centres (such as Holtze in the Northern Territory and Cleveland in Townsville, Queensland) being blocked by the respective governments, Dr Barume expressed the view that "Indigenous Peoples rights are unsafe in the hands of Australia's states and territories."

He underscored the responsibility of the Federal Government as the duty bearer under international law for the protection of human rights in Australia.

He emphasised that there has to be national minimum mandatory standards for human rights.

The Special Rapporteur also spoke on the importance of self-determination for Australia's First Nations peoples, and the constitutional recognition that would have come from the Voice referendum.

Uncle Rodney Dillon, Palawa Elder and Indigenous Rights Advisor at Amnesty International Australia, said:

"This visit by Dr Barume must not become a missed opportunity for transparency and accountability on Australia's human rights record. The Queensland and Northern Territory governments have denied a voice to some of Australia's most vulnerable people, and refused them the right to be heard by an international expert.

"Australia should welcome transparency in it's treatment of First Nations people. Transparency creates safety for young people in detention and their families, and it also creates safety for the prison system by showing clear accountability."

"Australia should welcome transparency in it's treatment of First Nations people. Transparency creates safety for young people in detention and their families, and it also creates safety for the prison system by showing clear accountability.

"The Australian Government's international reputation will be further diminished by it's lack of response in supporting the process of accountability, and for their lack of action. The way forward is to end abuse in custody and fund community-led programs that help get kids back on track.

"Amnesty International Australia has been calling for the protection of every child's human rights through enforceable national minimum standards across youth detention, and we welcome the Special Rapporteur's call for national minimum mandatory standards on fundamental human rights as well as on youth detention."

The visit by Dr Barume examined Australia's treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including their rights to self-determination, justice, land and cultural rights, and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

Almost a decade ago, former UN Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli-Corpuz raised serious concerns about Australia's treatment of First Nations peoples, including the disproportionate incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and called for urgent reforms.

In 2017, Ms Tauli-Corpuz was able to inspect Cleveland Youth Detention Centre. Nine years later, her successor was denied that same opportunity.

Uncle Rodney Dillon, Palawa Elder and Indigenous Rights Advisor at Amnesty International Australia, said:

"Our people have been telling governments what is wrong for generations. We've had inquiries, reports and recommendations, yet our children are still being locked up and their rights are still being violated. How many more reports will it take before governments finally listen?

"This cannot be another report that sits on a shelf collecting dust. The Australian Government must be held accountable for what happens next. We need to know who is responsible for implementing these recommendations, when they will be implemented and how governments will be held to account if they fail.

"We've had inquiries, reports and recommendations, yet our children are still being locked up and their rights are still being violated. How many more reports will it take before governments finally listen?"

"Australia has committed to upholding human rights on the international stage. Those commitments must mean something here at home. Our people deserve more than promises. We deserve action."

Amnesty International Australia is calling on the Albanese Government to commit to a publicly available, time-bound and adequately funded plan to respond to and implement the Special Rapporteur's recommendations, developed in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Government must establish transparent mechanisms to monitor progress and publicly report on implementation, ensuring that the recommendations are acted upon across federal, state and territory jurisdictions.

This must include meaningful action to implement UNDRIP, particularly the rights to self-determination and effective participation in decisions affecting First Nations peoples, alongside Australia's obligations under international human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Amnesty is also calling for urgent action to protect First Nations children, including raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to at least 14, ending harmful detention practices and investing in Indigenous-led, community-based alternatives to incarceration.

Dr Barume's formal report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2027. However, Amnesty warns that Australian governments must not wait for its publication to begin implementing reforms that First Nations communities and international human rights experts have called for over many years.

Background

• Dr Albert K. Barume visited Australia from 2 to 13 November 2026 as the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

• During his visit, the Northern Territory and Queensland governments refused to facilitate visits to Holtze and Cleveland youth detention centres.

• The previous Special Rapporteur, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, visited Australia in 2017 and made recommendations addressing self-determination, the administration of justice, incarceration, child protection and other rights.

• Dr Barume will present his formal country visit report to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2027.

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