Dr Zuleyka Zevallos

Member states most oppositional to United Nations Declaration on the Rights of #Indigenous Peoples were those with Indigenous populations, followed by states that do not recognise Indigenous groups (across Asia) and who say everyone is Indigenous (eg Bantu peoples across Africa)

"The job is not glamorous... but hugely satisfying" UN roles are unpaid volunteers. Travel rules are tough. Must have a bank account which is difficult for some people from developing nations that don't have credit cards or accounts. Visas tough for some nation states

Voice to Parliament or seats reserved for #Indigenous people are common, and relatively small accommodations, in liberal democracies. Australia's reticence to adopt this model (put forward in the #UluruStatement) is unusual.

UN is highly innovative. New position is intellectually more challenging. - @mdavisqlder

What's required to move the states? International human rights haven't done enough to challenge Australia's inaction

Australia needs our own declaration of human rights centred in law. See the problem in our mistreatment of refugees. International law stands as a shining example of what we should do. Don't use enough. Exception: Mabo case - can't deny people basic rights to live on their land

The only way we can implement human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is to appeal to the Australian people. That was what #UluruStatement aimed to do: push structural reform

People's right to self determination: who are a people? It's not just a small club. What does self determination mean? Not necessarily forming own state. They need to have enough numbers, the will, and institutions to be recognised as a people for international law purposes.