International relations

Australia welcomes the opening of the reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly in September 2021, measures taken towards a permanent constitution, and South Sudan’s intention to establish a hybrid court.

Australia remains deeply concerned by the dire humanitarian conditions faced by the 6.7 million people internally displaced in Syria since 2011.

Australia opposes the death penalty in all circumstances and urges Iran to enact a moratorium.

The signatories to this statement, are concerned about the dramatically deteriorating situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Russian Federation over the past 12 months.

Statement delivered on behalf of the Geneva Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict comprised of 27 States and co-chaired by Belgium and Uruguay.

The Group of Friends of Responsibility to Protect wishes to take this opportunity to reiterate its strong commitment to the multilateral human rights system and the integrity and independence of Special Procedures.

Advancing gender equality is crucial to comply with our human rights obligations, but also key to enable peace and sustainable development.

In Beijing, Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei faced a closed trial on charges of illegally supplying state secrets overseas. At the end of proceedings, the court deferred its verdict.

Ms Harinder Sidhu will be Australia’s next High Commissioner to New Zealand.

The Australian Government is taking further action to increase the economic costs to Russia following its illegal invasion of Ukraine, supported by Belarus, by applying an additional tariff of 35 per cent for all imports from Russia and Belarus.