It’s widely understood that rivers, wetlands and other waterways hold particular significance for First Nations people. It’s less well understood that Indigenous peoples are denied effective rights in Australia’s water economy.
Australia’s laws and policies prevent First Nations from fully participating in, and benefiting from, decisions about water. In fact, Indigenous peoples hold less than 1 per cent of Australia’s water rights.
A Productivity Commission report into national water policy released last week acknowledged the demands of First Nations, noting “Traditional Owners aspire to much greater access to, and control over, water resources”.
The commission suggested a suite of policy reforms. While the recommendations go further than previous official reports, they show a lack of ambition and would ensure water justice continues to be denied to First Nations.
Focusing attention on ‘cultural rights defenders’ writers among them PEN’s new ‘Safety Guide for Artists’ outlines issues, protocols, and resources for those working for freedom of expression and publication.
Image: PEN America, Artists at Risk Connection
Safety Guide: ‘Setting Up a Support Network’
In a presentation today (February 3) to help introduce its new
Safety Guide for Artists, PEN America held a morning discussion on “cultural rights defenders” and their place among those who work for human rights.
The United Nations’ special rapporteur in cultural rights, Karima Bennoune, was joined in the event by photographer and activist Shahidul Alam; Belarus Free Theatre’s Natalia Koliada; and the director of Al Mawred Al Thaqafy, Helena Nassif.