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Productive few days so far, back to back meetings with parliamentarians, political and legal advisors, as well as specialist advisors on strategy and United Nations effective process for the Norfolk Island Self-Determination petition. All of the UK based support network across the varied political parties have agreed with and enhanced the strategies we have developed and committed to since November last year – many proposing significant (additional) actions aimed at ensuring there is no choice but to list Norfolk Island through the UN for a self-determination process.
The many professional linkages we established in 2016 have strengthened and have been given even greater impetus by the NI resolve… compliments of the people of Norfolk Island; through the civil disobedience (tent embassy), various petitions, concise and evidence based documentation and the multitude of communication mediums – Thank you again for everyone who filmed their views on their home and their future. These short videos, plus the film put together by Nat Grube and some incredible community members has been a further gamechanger in communication and will be a significant future platform for a targeted social media campaign, (that is already in professional hands and under production).
We are leaving no stone unturned on this visit to activate and resource the legal, political and UN support networks, while at the same time leaving Norfolk Island’s unique culture, heritage and pride emblazoned across our meetings, and the walls of the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament… quite literally as we present an incredible artwork to the Speakers office and deputy speaker tomorrow! Once presented I’ll upload pictures of the artwork and the handover – huge thank you to Nicole Vaughan. Thanks also to Ric for supplying the great seal and plaque’s. So many people have supported and assisted this trip and we have been able to make some real progress specifically because of the team effort, without naming everyone individually please know we are burning 5 candles at 10 ends to make sure there is visible and helpful progress throughout this delegation. We have specifically committed to some constructive partnerships with indigenous groups, tribes and elders to enable a further endorsed/sponsored approach to the UN. In this instance, we are a helper as well as being helped to preserve awas kamfram.
We have quite a few photos and a small mountain of documentation from meetings so far, one such photo is attached to this facebook update. Albert and I were honoured to be part of a round table presentation and discussion with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights… an incredibly constructive and high level opportunity for the Norfolk Island delegation in assessing the actions of the Australian Government against the principles and ethos of Human Rights obligations. Of specific relevance to the community and people of Norfolk Island were questions I asked and the ensuing discussion around; “A nations internal and external consistency to meet (UN) Treaty obligations, particularly when independent scrutiny and accountability measures are not easily accessible to affected minority groups”. The High Commissioner for Human Rights identified the principles and mechanisms – as we hoped he would, while also identifying the clear obligations of all nations to the treaty obligations for the full spectrum of human rights frameworks – With no exclusions!! Following the meeting we had an opportunity to discuss areas of concern and one of the assistants snapped the attached photo of His Excellency Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein (UNHCHR) towards the end of the meeting.
I hope Australian Government representatives see this post, and when they feel the prickle of sweat breaking out, understand that they are not above any other nation in their requirement to meet international and United Nations obligations. Specific constitutional discussions have also taken place over the last week to identify previous claims that the Australian Constitution excused the Australian Government from their international and UN obligations, thisis a stretch of the imagination and there is no applicable constitutional process that is accountable to the peoplesupporting this bizarre concept or interpretation by some Australian Government representatives. We won’t bestopping our progression toward self-determination for NI, higher authorities and eminent experts remain very clearthat the Australian Government has made a serious error with the treatment of the people of Norfolk Island.
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