Human rights

We welcome this Interactive Dialogue as an important opportunity for the Council to discuss the concerning human rights situation in Myanmar.

Only a few weeks before the celebration of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, the world is gearing up for its recovery.

The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated already existing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and inequalities. Progress has stalled or even reversing the breakthroughs made on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

We remain concerned regarding the human rights situation in Venezuela, which has largely contributed to the second largest migration and refugee crisis in the world.

When women and girls are safe from violence, economically secure, and meaningfully represented in all levels of decision-making, our families, our communities and our economies benefit.

Australia continues to hold grave concerns for the human rights of the Venezuelan people.

We strongly condemn the Belarusian Government’s forced military interception of Ryanair Flight FR4978, and subsequent arrest of Belarusian opposition blogger, Roman Protasevich, and his partner.

Ending violence against all women and girls, including those with disability, is a priority for MIKTA. Gender equality will not be fully realised until all women and girls are safe from violence and discrimination.

Australia is committed to resisting and countering the spread of disinformation.

Many of our Foreign Ministers met on 28 April to discuss how the wide economic impact of COVID-19 is exacerbating situations of vulnerability, particularly for women and children.