United Nations
Australia: member of the United Nations Human Rights Council 2018-2020
Australia on the United Nations Human Rights Council 2018-2020
On 16 October 2017, in New York, the United Nations General Assembly elected Australia to serve on the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2018-20 term. The 47-member HRC is the UN body responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the world. Australia’s inaugural membership reflects our steadfast commitment to the aims and purposes of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Australian Government’s commitment to speak honestly and consistently for the advancement of human rights internationally.
Since taking up HRC membership in 2018, Australia has been an active and constructive member of the HRC. We have focused our efforts on pursuing Australia’s priority areas for advancing human rights (see Pillars and Priorities). We have engaged closely on country situations and made robust statements in response to human rights situations of concern, in our region and beyond.
Media releases, national statements and joint statements from each HRC session.
Video: Australia's HRC membership
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned that this film may contain images of deceased people.
Footage supplied with thanks to the Department of Defence, the Department of Social Services, the Australian Human Rights Commission, the High Court of Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pacific Sports Partnerships, and the Parliament of Australia.
International Human Rights Day
Media Release
10 December 2019
On 10 December 2019, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne issued a media release marking International Human Rights Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948, 71 years ago. Australia was one of eight nations to help draft the Declaration, and was an original signatory.
Read the full media release here.
Former Foreign Minister Payne Speech to the US Studies Centre – ‘Ensuring Security, Enabling Prosperity’
29 October 2019
In a speech delivered at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney on 29 October 2019, former Foreign Minister Payne emphasised Australia’s commitment to advancing human rights globally, including as a member of the HRC.
Australia leads Joint Statement on Saudi Arabia
23 September 2019
On 23 September 2019, Australia delivered a joint statement on human rights in Saudi Arabia on behalf of 25 countries at the 42nd Human Rights Council session in Geneva.
Read the full statement here: [Word 20 KB] | [PDF 77 KB].
This statement reiterated concerns which had been expressed by former Foreign Minister Payne in her statement to the High-Level Segment at the 40th HRC session on 25 February 2019.
Statement on Abolition of the Death Penalty
13 September 2019
At the recently concluded 42nd HRC session, Australia worked closely with other member states to support a resolution on the death penalty, and on 13 September 2019 delivered a national statement calling on all states to abolish the death penalty.
These actions reflect Australia’s 2018 Strategy for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, which was launched by Foreign Minister Payne in Canberra on 15 October 2018, in a ceremony attended by parliamentarians and civil society advocates.
Read the national statement here: [Word 122 KB] | [PDF 465 KB]
Former Foreign Minister Payne addresses the HRC’s High Level Segment at HRC40
25 February 2019
Former Foreign Minister Payne represented Australia at the High Level Segment of the 40th Human Rights Council session in Geneva on 25 February 2019.
Former Minister Payne delivered Australia’s national statement to the HRC High Level Segment, which reaffirmed Australia’s human rights priorities and reiterated our concerns over key human rights situations. The statement reiterated the five key pillars which guide Australian advocacy on the Council.
Launch of Australia’s inaugural Human Rights Council Membership
7 February 2018
Australia’s HRC membership was launched by then-Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at Parliament House on Wednesday 7 February 2018, in the presence of Slovenia’s Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Ms Helena Drnovsek Zorko. Slovenia held the HRC Presidency in 2018.
The reception celebrated Australia’s inaugural membership with attendance by representatives from member-nations of the HRC, commissioners from the Australian Human Rights Commission, parliamentarians and civil society organisations.
Australia’s then-Governor-General, His Excellency the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), gave Australia’s inaugural address to the HRC as a member, on 26 February 2018.
As the first country from the Pacific region to serve on the Council, Australia (along with newer Pacific members Fiji and the Republic of the Marshall Islands) is working to amplify the voices of our neighbours and highlight collection actions undertaken in the Pacific.