Deaths-in-custody protests at G20
Aboriginal groups will confront world leaders at the G20 about the ongoing issue of indigenous deaths in custody.
Activist Sam Watson has told AAP the G20 Leaders' Summit in Brisbane in November is the perfect time to highlight the continuing persecution of Aboriginal people as it coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the death of Mulrunji Doomadgee on the floor of the Palm Island watchhouse.
Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley was acquitted f manslaughter in 2007, but a coronial inquest in 2010 found there was evidence other police had colluded to protect him and, later that year, Queensland's crime and corruption watchdog found serious flaws in the way he was investigated.
November is also the anniversary of the death of 18-year-old Aboriginal dancer Daniel Yock soon after he was arrested by police at South Brisbane in 1993.
Police were also cleared of any wrongdoing in that matter.
Both cases sparked outcry among the Aboriginal community, with claims they were being unfairly targeted and treated because of their race.
Mr Watson says it was time those in power are held accountable.
"To this day, in 2014, there is not a single police office who has been found guilty of any criminal offence for Aboriginal deaths in custody," he said.
"We want international support from major trading partners to assert the rights of our people who live with ongoing fear of police brutality."
Mr Watson said indigenous deaths in custody was a national issue, and that people were planning to travel from all over the country to join the protest on the sidelines of the G20.
His comments came as an inquest opened in Sydney into the death of 39-year-old Aboriginal man Stanley Allan Lord Jr, who recently died in hospital while serving jail time for two minor driving offences.
A 22-year-old woman, Julieka Dhu, also died in police custody in Western Australia in August while held for unpaid fines.
These two deaths have sparked calls for urgent reform of systems that imprison people for licence offences.
