E/CN.4/2002/24/Add.1 page 41 87. For many Aboriginals the defensive attitude adopted by the federal Government on matters that are very painful to them cast doubt about its real desire to achieve a meaningful reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples. It is then worth recalling the words of Sir William Deane, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, when he received the Bringing Them Home report: “It should, I think, be apparent to all well-meaning people that true reconciliation between the Australian nation and its Indigenous peoples is not achievable in the absence of acknowledgment by the nation of the wrongfulness of the past dispossession, oppression and degradation of the Aboriginal peoples”. 5. Difficulties in the reconciliation process 88. The majority of Australians are in favour of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous inhabitants, but there is disagreement between the Government and the Indigenous inhabitants on the right paths towards such an understanding. From 1991 to 2001, a Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation has worked to find ways and means of achieving reconciliation between all the component members of the Australian population. When the Council had completed its work, on 27 May 2000 it submitted to the Australian Prime Minister and Parliament a Declaration towards Reconciliation and a “Roadmap for Reconciliation”. The Declaration reads as follows: “We, the peoples of Australia, of many origins as we are, make a commitment to go on together in a spirit of reconciliation. “We value the unique status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original owners and custodians of lands and waters. “We recognize this land and its waters were settled as colonies without treaty or consent. “Reaffirming the human rights of all Australians, we respect and recognize continuing customary laws, beliefs and traditions. “Through understanding the spiritual relationship between the land and its first peoples, we share our future and live in harmony. “Our nation must have the courage to own the truth, to heal the wounds of its past so that we can move on together at peace with ourselves. “Reconciliation must live in the hearts and minds of all Australians. Many steps have been taken, many steps remain as we learn our shared histories. “As we walk the journey of healing, one part of the nation apologizes and expresses its sorrow and sincere regret for the injustices of the past, so the other part accepts the apologies and forgives.