Human rights

Australia welcomes Latvia’s continued commitment to human rights and real progress on legal frameworks that provide protection against incitement of social hatred and enmity.

Australia welcomes Singapore's engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process.

Australia commends Solomon Islands for its efforts to promote and protect human rights, including combating domestic violence through adoption of the Family Protection Act.

Australia commends Seychelles for its first democratic change of Government. We welcome the establishment in 2019 of an independent Human Rights Commission and a Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission; and the passage of a domestic violence act in 2020. We also commend Seychelles for repealing laws criminalising consensual same-sex relations between adults.

Australia welcomes Namibia's continued efforts to empower women through innovation and development, including by establishing the International Women's Peace Centre.

Australia congratulates Niger on its recent election and the successful transition of power. We commend Niger for its active participation as part of the G5 Sahel to end extremism in the region and promote stability.

Australia welcomes Estonia's continued commitment to human rights, including freedom of expression. Australia acknowledges Estonia's provision of legal and social assistance to asylum seekers and efforts to enhance the inclusion of the Russian-speaking community, reduce domestic and gender-based violence and appoint more women to government ministries. Australia commends Estonia's establishment of a national human rights institution in full compliance with the Paris Principles.

Australia recognises the challenges that Mozambique faces in combating terrorism, and in responding to humanitarian and natural disasters.

Australia commends Belgium's continued leadership on human rights issues in multilateral fora, including on global abolition of the death penalty and the protection of children in armed conflicts.  Australia also welcomes Belgium's establishment of a national human rights institution, the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights. 

Australia welcomes Paraguay's efforts to improve its human rights framework since its last review, including improved legal protections introduced in 2017 in the Law for the Integral Protection of Women Against All Forms of Violence. However, we remain concerned about a range of human rights issues, including the lack of enforcement of the clause in Paraguay's constitution against discrimination.