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 United Nations

Australia at the United Nations Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council (HRC) holds three regular sessions a year, in March, June and September, in Geneva. During the meeting, the Council considers each of the ten items on its agenda by receiving written reports or oral updates from special procedures mandate holders. This includes from special rapporteurs, independent experts and working groups; by hosting interactive dialogues with those mandate holders and mechanisms; or providing a forum for general debate on each of the agenda items. The meeting is interspersed with panel discussions on particular issues. Each HRC session concludes with the 47 members of the Council voting on resolutions – non-legally binding expressions of the views of the Council's members.

Australia participates in the debates, dialogues and panels by presenting public statements. As a member, we are also required to vote on resolutions. As an active and accountable HRC member, we made these statements available across the term of our membership, 2018–2020.

Australia also actively participates in the HRC Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. The Attorney-General's Department publishes material relating to Australia's UPR.

Australian Statements at the United Nations Human Rights Council

Statements made as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council 2018-2020

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