Human rights

Australia welcomes Tajikistan’s plan to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, efforts to criminalise domestic violence, and amendments to its Criminal Code bringing the definition of torture into line with the Convention against Torture.

Australia encourages the continued engagement of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Universal Periodic Review process and commends legislation enacted to protect human rights since the last review, including relating to domestic violence and the protection of children. However, Australia urges it to honour reporting obligations under international human rights instruments to improve the protection of human rights.

Australia acknowledges Hungary’s efforts in recent years, including progress in combatting human trafficking and improvements to the conditions of women’s employment. Australia encourages Hungary to reform laws and policies that impact on human rights and basic freedoms.  

Australia commends Samoa on its progress since its previous UPR appearance, notwithstanding significant disruptions caused by natural disasters, the 2019 measles outbreak and COVID-19.

Australia welcomes Greece’s continued efforts to improve its human rights framework including through ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Australia commends Greece on concrete steps made in respect of: LGBTI rights; gender equality; the rights of persons with a disability; controls on the armed forces and police; the status of Greece's Muslim minority in the Thrace region; and, combating anti-Semitism and hate speech.

Australia commends Suriname for taking steps towards amending the Military Penal Code to abolish the death penalty.  

Australia welcomes the actions taken on human rights by Papua New Guinea since its last UPR appearance. This includes efforts to address gender-based violence and progress critical legislation to improve women’s lives, and the passage of legislation in 2020 to establish an Independent Commission Against Corruption. Australia encourages Papua New Guinea to realise the rights to health and education by allocating sufficient resources to improve outcomes and by continuing to prioritise COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

The 39th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a United Nations process that considers the human rights record of each UN Member State. It is a mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council.

Cross-Regional Joint Statement On The Human Rights Situation In Xinjiang, Delivered by France on behalf of 43 Member states, 3rd Committee – UN General Assembly, New York, 21 October 2021.