Malingu Yangu Wakay

23 August 2022

The Masig Statement

The Voice from the deep

To establish principles and parameters on behalf of the peoples of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area to act together in unity, in order to pursue and achieve self-determination and regional autonomy and, in so doing, preserve our distinctive and diverse spiritual, material and economic relationship with the lands, territories, waters, coastal seas and other resources with which we have a connection under Ailan Kastom and Aboriginal tradition.

1. 1. In accordance with Article 3 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
   adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13th September 2007 and supported by the
   Australian Government on 3rd April 2009 and the Preamble of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld),
   we seek to achieve our right to self-determination as the peoples of the Torres Strait and Northern
   Peninsula Area.
   
   
2. By virtue of our sovereign right, we have the right to freely determine our political status and to
   freely pursue our economic, social and cultural development.
   
   
3. In keeping with Article 4 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in
   exercising our right to self-determination, we have the right to autonomy or self-government in
   matters relating to our internal and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their
   autonomous functions.
   
   
4. Therefore, we will create partnerships with Key Regional Stakeholders, the Queensland and
   Australian governments together with other relevant organisations to better equip us to work
   together to achieve our regional goals and aspirations; and in working together as representatives
   of the peoples of the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area obtain and safeguard our human
   rights enshrined in international, national and Queensland law.