Australian Lawyers for Human Rights Statement on Boorloo Invasion Day Rally Attack
ALHR supports the calls of First Nations organisations and leaders for the potential mass casualty event in Boorloo/Perth on 26 January to be independently investigated as a potential terrorist act and as a hate crime. During the incident a man is alleged to have thrown an improvised explosive device/bomb made from a mixture of volatile chemicals with nails and metal ball bearings attached to its exterior into a crowd of approximately 2,500 First Nations people and allies during a peaceful Invasion Day rally.
An independent investigation of this incident must include a review of whether, prior to the incident, credible threats were made against the event and appropriately responded to by the WA Police and allegations that the police response at the time of the incident involved uses of excessive force against members of the public in attendance at the rally.
ALHR echoes the concerns of First Nations leaders and organisations and fellow human rights organisations such as Amnesty International that the response from authorities and sections of the media has risked minimising the extremely serious and violent nature of the alleged conduct.
We express our profound shock and concern that in 2026 we are facing an incident involving an alleged attempt to kill or cause serious injuries to First Nations people and their allies, including families, whilst they gathered peacefully to mark the 26th of January as Day of Mourning, celebrate survival in the face of genocide and protest the ongoing racial injustice experienced by Aborignal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Katie Kiss, has rightly stated that “No one is safe until we are all safe from hatred. These acts have no place in our society. Hate and discrimination must be addressed urgently and comprehensively.”
ALHR reiterates its call on the Federal Government to endorse and fully implement the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework in consultation and collaboration with First Nations people and all groups in our community impacted by racism.
We join Amnesty International in calling on the Federal Government to urgently expand the terms of reference of the Royal Commission into anti-semitism to include all forms of racism and far right extremism, consistent with Australia’s international human rights obligations.
The Federal Government and the Australian public must respond to racially motivated acts of hate towards First Nations peoples with the same seriousness, urgency and condemnation afforded to acts of hate directed at any other minority group in Australia
ALHR stands in solidarity with First Nations people and recognises the serious fear and distress that this attack and attempts to downplay its gravity are causing to communities across Australia.