Human rights

Australia welcomes Austria's continued commitment to human rights and commends its leadership to promote gender equality and reduce violence against women.

We appreciate the Government of Nepal’s commitment to continue to build on Nepal’s Constitution of 2015 to realise the protection and promotion of human rights and to implement previously accepted recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review.

Australia acknowledges Saint Lucia’s progress. We remain concerned at excessive use of force by police, and we urge the government to develop and introduce domestic violence legislation to provide greater protection to women and girls.

Australia acknowledges Saint Kitts and Nevis acceding to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and encourages steps to ratify OPCAT.

Australia welcomes Mauritania’s continued collaboration with international partners to combat extremism, radicalisation and terrorism.

Australia welcomes progress made by Lebanon since its second Universal Periodic Review. Australia welcomes the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission and National Preventative Mechanism against Torture.

Australia commends the Federated States of Micronesia on efforts to strengthen the protection of human rights, including ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and progress in drafting child protection policy and legislation in support of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Australia's statements to the 37th session of the Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations.

The undersigned members of the Media Freedom Coalition express their concern about the situation for journalists and media freedom in the lead-up to the Ugandan elections of January 14, 2021. 

Australia acknowledges Jamaica’s progress in strengthening human rights and its improved Freedom House democracy score. We welcome progress and urge further action on measures to improve prison conditions and on security force related killings as a result of excessive use of force.