International organisations

This important resolution once again reaffirms that persons with disabilities are entitled to the same human rights as those without disabilities, without any discrimination, and we commend its consensual adoption.

Extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions are an appalling violation of the right to life. This resolution contains a list of persons vulnerable to this egregious act, including, inter alia, persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, internally displaced persons, persons living under foreign occupation, migrants, Indigenous Peoples, and those targeted because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Our countries share a strong commitment to advance the rights of Indigenous Peoples, at home and internationally. At the same time, we recognize that implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in our countries remains a work in progress with much work left to be done.

Australia reiterates its steadfast commitment to the global fight against racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, in all its forms. Again, we reiterate that hateful and divisive rhetoric has no place in Australia or anywhere in the world, online or offline.

We recall that Article 18 of the ICCPR guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to have, change, adopt, stop adhering to or not to have a religion or belief, as a fundamental human right of every human being, as well as to practise and manifest it freely either individually or in community with others, in public or private.

We take this opportunity to reaffirm our strong support for the Human Rights Council and to thank the President of the Council for his report to the plenary and his interactive engagement with the Third Committee.

Young people have acknowledged that, despite not a homogenous experience, health systems are providing further opportunities to access treatments and services promptly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a year that saw multiple, intersecting and complex crises stretch humanitarian organisations to their limits, Australia commends UNHCR’s tireless efforts to address the needs of millions of people in crisis. We also commend the dedication of UNHCR personnel to “stay and deliver” in a range of extraordinarily challenging circumstances.

Australia unequivocally condemns all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia or related intolerance, including Nazism and neo-Nazism. Sadly, our world has not fully rid itself from the legacy of Nazism which can still be found today.

Australia calls on the military regime to end the horrific violence against civilians, engage in dialogue, release those unjustly detained, including Australian Professor Sean Turnell, and allow unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.