Davis, Nihal; Libesman, Terry --- "Deaths in Custody - Report on the March to Commemorate the 4th Anniversary of the Death of John Pat and all other Aboriginal Deaths in Custody" [1987] AboriginalLawB 44; (1987) 1(28) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 3

• Deaths In Custody-Report On The March To Commemorate The 4th Anniversary Of The Death Of John Pat And All Other Aboriginal Deaths In Custody

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Deaths in Custody - Report on the March to Commemorate the 4th Anniversary of the Death of John Pat and all other Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

by Terry Libesman and Nihal Davis

Over the past four years, the relatives of those who died in custody and Aboriginal communities have been drawing public attention to the suspicious circumstances in which Aborigines have died in custody.

On 26 September 1987, approximately 400 people marched from Redfern to Long Bay Gaol. The march was led by relatives followed by supporters carrying banners, and calling chants. Along the route silences were held to commemorate the death of 16 Aborigines in custody in 1987. A strong feeling of solidarity was generated nationally: simultaneous marches took place in Adelaide. Canberra, Western Australia, Brisbane, Wollongong, Melbourne and Alice Springs. An all night vigil took place outside Long Bay and a commemorative service on Sunday morning.

Helen Boyle, the Chairperson from CDBR spoke of the need for sustained public pressure to ensure a just Royal. Commission. The committee is concerned that the terms of reference of the Royal Commission need to be widened to encompass all relevant issues including the socio-economic circumstances surrounding the deaths. It is essential tat the Commissioners have the courage and incentive to probe into police and prison warders' use and abuse of their discretionary powers as well as suggested illegalities. The CDBR is calling for the appointment of Aboriginal people as commissioners and as counsel assisting the Commission. It insists that the commission be allocated sufficient time and funding to carry out full investigations. The committee has over a hundred deaths on its files and is concerned that all those and any subsequent deaths be investigated and that there be ongoing consultation with the Aboriginal people.

Chirpy Campbell, the brother of Peter Campbell who died at Long Bay Gaol on 12 September, 1980, spoke of the personal impact of deaths in custody on the relatives and the significance of support groups. He emphasised the frustration and distress felt by relatives in the face of silence after a death. The suffering is exacerbated by harassment and financial hardships affecting their lives and intensified by the knowledge of violence and isolation faced by the deceased.

On Sunday morning, Reverand Ann Wansborough of the Uniting Church participated in the commemorative service. She pointed out the weaknesses of the churches who fall to address social issues, and stressed that it is important for non-Aboriginal people to question injustices if they too wished to live in a just society. The commemoration served to draw public attention to calls for a just Royal Commission. Sustained public pressure is necessary to ensure that the Royal Commission elucidates the issues, makes satisfactory recommendations and that those recommendations are implemented.