Report Reveals British Colonizers Committed Genocide Against Indigenous People in 19th Century Australia
A report from Australia’s Victoria state has concluded that British colonizers carried out genocide against Indigenous people in the 19th century, leading to a drastic decline in the Indigenous population due to violence and disease.
Reported by Kokcha News Agency:
A landmark report by the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria, Australia, has found that British colonizers committed genocide against Indigenous people in the 19th century. The report, led by Aboriginal leaders, revealed that the Indigenous population in Victoria declined by 75% in the first 20 years of colonization, starting in the 1830s, due to violence, disease, and systemic oppression.
The report, part of Australia’s first official “truth-telling” inquiry, was established in 2021 to examine the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Indigenous people in Victoria. It is also seen as a crucial step in Australia’s reconciliation process with its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Key Findings
The commission’s investigation highlighted several atrocities, including mass killings, sexual violence, cultural destruction, forced assimilation, and the removal of Indigenous children from their families. The report concluded that these actions contributed to the near-physical annihilation of Victoria’s Indigenous population.
“This was genocide,” the report stated, emphasizing the systematic nature of the violence and oppression.
Health System Racism
The report also found that racism is “endemic” in the health system, calling for increased funding for Indigenous health services and policies, as well as greater employment opportunities for Aboriginal people within the healthcare sector.
Recommendations
The report made 100 recommendations to address the harm caused by colonization, including reparations, educational reforms to better incorporate Indigenous history, and an official apology to Aboriginal soldiers who fought in both World Wars but were excluded from land grants upon their return.
Mixed Reactions
While the report has been praised for shedding light on historical injustices, three of the five commissioners—Sue-Anne Hunter, Maggie Walter, and Anthony North—did not endorse some of the “key findings” in the final report, though no further details were provided.
Government Response
Victoria’s Labor Party government has stated that it will carefully consider the report’s findings. Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledged that the report “sheds light on painful truths.”
Jill Gallagher, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), described the findings as “indisputable” and called on all Victorians to “accept, recognize, and reconcile with these truths.”
A National First
While similar investigations have been conducted in other Australian states and territories, this report marks the first of its kind in Victoria and represents a significant step in Australia’s ongoing reconciliation efforts.
