Eddie Mabo (Land Rights)

Eddie Mabo was an Indigenous Australian who significantly contributed to land rights recognition in Australia. His landmark 1992 court case challenged the notion of "terra nullius," which viewed Australia as unoccupied prior to British colonization. Mabo argued for the recognition of Indigenous land ownership based on traditional connections to the land. The High Court of Australia agreed, leading to the acknowledgement of Native Title rights for Indigenous peoples. This ruling transformed Australian law and highlighted the importance of Indigenous land rights, paving the way for greater recognition and respect for the cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.