Human rights

Australia continues to be deeply concerned by the situation in Myanmar and condemns ongoing human rights abuses and violations of international law by the military regime.

Australia is committed to further strengthening the Modern Slavery Act - a statutory review is currently underway. We will also appoint an independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, as well as bolster resources for the Ambassador for People Smuggling and Human Trafficking.

Australia calls for the release of all individuals arbitrarily detained for exercising their legitimate rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of association.

We continue to be gravely concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Numerous extensively researched and credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained.

51st Session of the Human Rights Council

Over eleven years of armed conflict in Syria have deeply traumatized children in the country and the region. As extensively documented by the Commission of Inquiry in its report presented to the 43rd HRC session, children endured multiple violations and abuses of their human rights, having been regularly targeted, killed, maimed, recruited, detained and used in armed conflict. 

The Council is only as good as its members and as GA resolution 60/251 makes clear, all members elected to the Council are required to uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights and to fully cooperate with the Council.

As we confront the climate crisis, women’s and girls’ human rights must be at the centre of our collective efforts. Climate change and its consequences can exacerbate the risk of sexual and gender-based violence. This risk is most acute for women and girls facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and inequality, including indigenous women and girls.