We stand with Kumanjayi Walker’s family and Yuendumu
Warlpiri-Luritja man Kumanjayi Walker should be alive today with his family and community, but on 9 November 2019, he was killed after former NT police officer Zachary Rolfe shot him three times at close range in his home community of Yuendumu.
This week his family’s six year fight for truth, justice and accountability took a massive step forward.
The Coroner delivered her findings into Kumanjayi’s death, saying that Kumanjayi Walker’s death was “entirely avoidable” and it was not a case of Rolfe being one “bad apple” but there is “clear evidence of entrenched systemic and structural racism within NT Police.”
This validates much of what Kumanjayi’s family and community have been saying for years. Kumanjayi’s family and community have always felt that racism killed Kumanjayi, and this week they spoke about how they felt after the findings:
“To hear the Coroner identify structural and entrenched racism in the NT Police has made us feel validated. Our family and community have always felt that racism killed Kumanjayi.
“Our community is now looking to the future. We have always had clear solutions and this is now an opportunity to ensure that our community can thrive under Warlpiri control again. Our fight for justice and accountability does not end here.”
While many of the Coroner’s recommendations fall short on the concrete changes that are needed to hold police accountable, keep communities safe and put an end to deaths in custody – this is a clear opportunity for the NT Government to now listen to Kumanjayi Walker’s family’s calls for justice and police accountability.
Until families, communities and experts are listened to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will continue to die in custody and at the hands of the police.
We were proud to partner with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency to intervene in the coronial inquest to highlight systemic racism within the Northern Territory, and we will continue to stand in solidarity with Kumanjayi’s family and support their calls for change.
Australia’s racist youth justice policies taken to the UN
The Human Rights Law Centre has supported Associate Professor Hannah McGlade to submit an urgent action complaint to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Read more
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which Australia pledged in 1975 to do in accordance with international law. It’s a timely reminder that we must combat racism, wherever and whenever it arises, to challenge injustice and promote equity.
Read more
The Age Of Innocence
No child should ever grow up in a prison cell. Children belong in schools and playgrounds. Funnelling children into prisons does not make communities safer, it undermines them.
Read moreACNC: 31 117 719 267 | Connect with the Human Rights Law Centre
Acknowledgement of Country
The Human Rights Law Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia, including the lands of the Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung, Gadigal, Ngunnawal, Cammeraygal, Darug, Wadawurrung, Turrbal and Jagera people where we work from.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present. This land always was, and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
WARNING: This site contains images or names of people who have passed away.