This week the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples meets in Geneva. One of the Agenda Items for this meeting is a presentation of the draft of the progress report on the study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making.

The Expert Mechanism welcomed comments and observations from participants and observers on the draft progress report.

The Australian Government statement to the Expert Mechanism Peoples (EMRIP) in Geneva included mention of:

National Congress of Australia's First Peoples (NCAFP)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner

nomination of Megan Davis to the UNPFII

Indigenous Leadership Program

Indigenous Woman's Program

the Governments committment to consult Indigenous peoples in relation to matters that affect them and ensuring their participation in decision-making;

National Consultation on Human Rights: the Governments willingness to give careful consideration to all the Committee's recommendations before responding to this report in the coming months;

ACT Human Rights Act 2004;

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation;

decision-making and consent through the Native Title Act 1993 - and role of Native Title Representative Bodies and Service Providers to represent the interest of native title claimants and holders;

Torres Strait Regional Authority;

Further information on EMRIP, and copies of the draft report on decision-making, and statements by the Australian Government and Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples organisations can be found here.