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Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan - 16 June 2025

Thank you Special Rapporteur for your latest report.

The situation in Afghanistan is disturbing. The Taliban has effectively erased women and girls from public life, denying access to education, employment and freedom of movement.

Australia is deeply concerned by your findings that the Taliban's institutionalised system of discrimination, oppression, and domination amounts to crimes against humanity. Survivors of violence, particularly women and girls, have no recourse to fair or independent legal remedies, legal representation or protection mechanisms, allowing perpetrators of violence to act with impunity.

Australia is deeply committed to supporting accountability for human rights abuses and violations in Afghanistan. In 2024, Australia joined with Canada, Germany and the Netherlands to invoke Afghanistan's responsibility under international law for violations of the rights of women and girls – a global first for action of this kind.

We call on Afghanistan to comply with its obligations under international law and end its systemic campaign of gender-based discrimination, segregation and violence against women and girls.

What more can the international community do to ensure accountability for the Taliban's actions?

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission on Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo - 16 June 2025

Thank you, President / Vice President,

Australia thanks the Fact-Finding Mission for its oral update. Australia remains gravely concerned by reports of human rights violations and abuses and possible breaches of international humanitarian law in North and South Kivu.

We are appalled by reports that multiple actors involved in the conflict are systematically using sexual violence as a weapon of war against women and children.

Allegations of unlawful killings, arbitrary detention, and the use of torture by M23 are alarming.

Australia reiterates its call for Rwanda to cease its support to M23 and to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.

Reports of abuses by Wazalendo militias against civilians cannot be ignored.

We also call on Congolese authorities to end their support for Wazalendo groups and impartially investigate and prosecute those responsible for human rights abuses.

Australia welcomes ongoing mediation efforts and encourages all parties to intensify dialogue toward a peace agreement and the implementation of a ceasefire.

We ask, how can the international community support the Fact-Finding Mission's efforts to ensure accountability for any violations of international law?

Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's Annual Report - 17 June 2025

Thank you, President

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration – a milestone in our shared efforts to achieve gender equality and realise the human rights of women and girls. Yet these rights are under threat in far too many circumstances.

In Afghanistan, Iran and DPRK, repressive authorities grossly deprive women of their human rights.

We face enduring conflict-related violations of human rights, including sexual violence, in Ukraine, Sudan, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

LGBTQIA+ people face violence and discrimination, as new laws further curtail their freedom of expression.

Australia also remains gravely concerned by ongoing human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet, and by the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.

High Commissioner – your report comes at a time of great disruption to the multilateral system. The status quo is no longer viable.

Australia will support your efforts to preserve the essential scrutiny and accountability functions of the multilateral human rights system.

At this critical time, Australia stands by its commitment to promote and protect human rights globally.

Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel - 17 June 2025

Australia thanks the Commission.

We note the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East risks further destabilising an already volatile region. Australia urges de-escalation, restraint, and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

Australia is deeply concerned by the COI's findings regarding attacks on cultural property and heritage, and expansion of settlements.

Australia's longstanding position is that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and a significant obstacle to peace and a two-state solution.

We strongly condemn ongoing settler violence perpetrated against Palestinians, and took action against the perpetrators, including coordinating with partners to sanction extremists.

We joined partners in sanctioning Hamas terrorists for their ongoing acts of terror.

On 10 June we announced, with partners, targeted sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting, supporting and enabling violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

We call on Israel to cease settlement activity and to hold perpetrators of settler violence to account.

We are committed to the two-state solution as the only way to guarantee security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians.

We urge an immediate return to a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, full and immediate resumption of aid, and the protection of all civilians.

How can we achieve a two-state solution in the face of unacceptable expanding settlement activity?

Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity - 20 June 2025

Thank you.

We thank the Independent Expert for his crucial work and presenting his report.

We are deeply concerned by his findings, which highlight how discrimination and violence against persons of diverse sexual orientation or gender identity can drive displacement, and thereby expose those persons to further risks.

The normalisation of discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ persons is to the detriment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every person.

The Australian Government prioritises visa applicants who are outside of their home country and are members of minority groups, including persons of diverse sexual orientation or gender identity. However this can be challenging to implement, as individuals may not disclose their status because they fear further discrimination and violence.

We thank the Independent Expert for his reflections on challenges of data collection related to sexual orientation and gender identity. We also recognise that ensuring individuals' safety in data collection must be a primary consideration. Could you share some good practice examples of data collection in this context?

Panel: Commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy focusing on overcoming barriers to women's leadership in peace processes – 24 June 2025

Thank you, President

Canada is pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

On the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, we gather at a time marked by the highest number of conflicts in a generation— in which women and girls are significantly impacted, there is an erosion of trust in multilateral institutions, and deepening gender inequality. In this critical moment, the question of who shapes the future—and whose voices are heard—is more important than ever.

The leadership of women and girls in all stages of peace and security processes, including negotiations, ceasefires and institution building, is a precondition for durable peace. There is clear evidence that when women are meaningfully included, the resulting peace agreements are more comprehensive, more durable and more inclusive.

Yet after decades of global commitments, progress remains unacceptably slow. In 2023, women on average made up only 9.6% of negotiators, 13.7% of mediators, and 26.6% of signatories to peace and ceasefire agreements. Alarmingly, if Colombia is excluded, that last figure plummets to just 1.5%. These stark statistics demonstrate the urgent need to translate promises into meaningful action.

Mr. President, what concrete actions can we take to address the lack of progress on women and girls' full, equal and meaningful participation in peace processes?

Panel: Gender-based violence against women and girls in conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings - 24 June 2025, Canada on behalf of CANZ

Thank you.

Almost 25 years since the unanimous adoption of UNSC Resolution 1325, sexual and gender-based violence remains a deliberate tactic of war.

Grave human rights violations continue — entrenching gender inequality, tearing apart communities, undermining the realisation of human rights, and obstructing peace, recovery and development.

In 2023, UN-verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence rose by 50%, with nearly one-third involving girls.

Women and girls remain disproportionately affected, but we also recognise the growing harms to men, boys, and others.

This violence is a product of entrenched gender inequalities that exist in all countries.

Combatting these inequalities requires systemic changes across institutions, policies, and social norms. Australia is committed to working in partnership to build a future where justice, dignity and human rights prevail.

We must ensure access to justice, accountability, and comprehensive support services, including sexual and reproductive health care services. We must also ensure gender equality in participation, leadership and decision making.

What are some good practice examples of supporting women's participation in peace processes to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, post-conflict and humanitarian settings?

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls – 24 June 2025, New Zealand on behalf of CANZ

I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

We thank the Working Group for its report on the "gendered dimensions of care and support". Care and support, paid and unpaid, are fundamental to the wellbeing and prosperity of all people.

We share the Working Group's concern that women and girls, including older women, face inequalities when providing and requiring care and support. Care and support systems must uphold all women and girls' human rights and fundamental freedoms. This includes ensuring their safety and ensuring the availability, inclusivity and accessibility of health services, including in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

We are also concerned that young women and girls who are required to provide unpaid and paid care work, disproportionately experience barriers to accessing and staying in formal education and gaining qualifications towards decent work.

The provision of care and support must not see care recipients as passive "dependents". An approach that addresses the needs of all care recipients, including women and girls with disabilities, must ensure the meaningful participation and leadership of those providing and requiring care and support in decisions about that care and support.

We support the Working Group's call to transform care and support systems to enable all women and girls to participate in society with dignity and autonomy, and with the full enjoyment of their human rights.

Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children - 25 June 2025

Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report. We agree migrant domestic workers, particularly women, are at heightened risk of contemporary forms of modern slavery, including human trafficking.

Australia is working with ASEAN Member States to establish safe, regular migration pathways and frameworks for migrant workers; the TRIANGLE in ASEAN program focuses on high-risk sectors for migrants such as domestic work.

Australia has supported ASEAN to draft guidelines on the Implementation of the Non-Punishment Principle for Protection of Victims of Trafficking in Persons. These guidelines, launched on 2 June 2025 in Jakarta, will assist ASEAN Member States to implement domestic legislation and policies to ensure victims of trafficking are protected, not penalised.

Australia appointed its first federal Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Mr Chris Evans, in November 2024. He supports businesses to address risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains and raises awareness of these issues.

Special Rapporteur: how do you view the role of regional forums such as the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, the Colombo Process and the Bali Process in decreasing the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers to trafficking?

Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls - 25 June 2025

Thank you, President/Vice-President.

Australia is steadfast in its commitment to end violence against women and girls.

Our second 10-year National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children – developed in partnership with civil society – outlines our sustained efforts to address all forms of gender-based violence.  

The Plan is informed by our evolving understanding of the ways in which violence can be perpetrated and its impact on victim-survivors. It describes gender-based violence as rooted in gender-based power inequalities, rigid gender norms and gender-based discrimination.

Acknowledging the role of gender does not erase the role of sex.

Sexual and gender-based violence not only violates individual human rights, it hinders social and economic development, costing the global economy an estimated US$1.5 trillion annually.

To realise gender equality and the benefits it brings to all, we must recognise and include the diverse experiences of all survivors.

Australia is committed to ending gender-based violence and embracing the diverse experiences of all women and girls.

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Belarus - 26 June 2025

Thank you, Special Rapporteur.

Australia deplores the Belarusian Government's continued denial of civil and political rights.

We support the democratic aspirations of Belarusians for a free, democratic and independent Belarus.

No election can be considered free, fair or in line with international standards when it is held in a climate of ongoing repression, marked by arbitrary detentions, restrictions on genuine political participation, and a clampdown on civil society.

We remain deeply concerned by reports of ongoing abuse and ill-treatment of people arbitrarily detained for exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of opinion, expression and of association. We call for their immediate release.

Australia commends the courageous advocacy of civil society organisations, human rights defenders and others who continue to carry out essential human rights work in challenging circumstances.

Australia also reiterates its condemnation of the Belarusian Government's complicity in Russia's aggression against Ukraine. We call on Belarus to immediately cease its support for Russia's illegal invasion.

Special Rapporteur, how can the international community contribute to efforts to hold the Belarusian Government accountable for its ill-treatment of those arbitrarily detained?

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's report and oral update of the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar - 27 June 2025

Thank you President / Vice President

Australia is pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. We thank the High Commissioner for his report.

The situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate. An additional 2 million people require humanitarian assistance since the devastating earthquake in March.

We are deeply concerned by the regime continuing to divert aid, restrict humanitarian access and break multiple ceasefire commitments, including with attacks on civilian populated areas and earthquake affected regions.

As one example, on 12 May, an airstrike on a school in Sagaing Region killed civilians, including children. We call on the regime to adhere to and extend its ceasefire and stop targeting civilians. We call on all parties to allow safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access. Aid should be distributed in accordance with a principled needs-based approach.  

We continue to call on the regime to fulfill its commitments under the Five-Point Consensus and engage meaningfully with ASEAN, including its Chair, and Special Envoy.

High Commissioner, in such a dire situation, we are left wondering what more can be done to support the people of Myanmar?

Interactive Dialogue and oral presentation of the High Commissioner on Ukraine and interim report of the Secretary-General on human rights in Crimea - 3 July 2025

Thank you, High Commissioner,

More than three years on, we continue to see Russia's blatant disregard for its international humanitarian law and international human rights law obligations.

Amid the countless violations you outlined, Australia remains deeply concerned by your reports of Russia's violations of the rights of prisoners of war, including widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment.

We are appalled by the deportations of Ukrainian children by Russia.

We are also alarmed at Russia's abhorrent and ongoing missile strikes on Ukraine. Any targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law.

Civilian casualties are increasing at an alarming rate.

These attacks demonstrate Russia is not serious about wanting to end its illegal and immoral war.

The OHCHR's documentation of human rights violations are essential to efforts to hold Russia accountable for its brutal invasion.

Australia supports Ukraine's right to defend itself, which is why we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

We call on Russia to comply with its international human rights obligations, engage with negotiations in good faith, and fulfil any commitments made.

High Commissioner, how can we ensure accountability for Russia's violations of international law, and the generational toll of this war?

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