Lessons for the Stolen Generations Litigation

The Northern Territory Stolen Generations litigation involved two cases in Australia challenging the validity of the Aboriginal Ordinance 1918 (Cth), which authorized the confinement within or removal to reserves and aboriginal institutions of aboriginal peoples. This article examines the litigation in the context of crimes of genocide and issues of sovereignty. The authors emphasize the need to document women's history and questions the role of human rights institutions and procedures in this regard. This article also reviews the question of reparations.