International relations

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.

Australia welcomes Denmark's continued commitment to human rights, including its leadership on freedom of expression and association. Australia commends Denmark's efforts to increase gender equality, to combat gender-based violence and its official apology in 2020 to Greenlandic Inuit children removed from their families in 1951.

Australia commends Somalia for ratifying CRPD. We welcome the child rights bill and strategy to prevent child soldier recruitment and facilitate reintegration.

Australia commends the Republic of Palau for its efforts to strengthen human rights since the last review, including progressing measures to implement the Family Protection Act 2012. Australia was pleased to provide assistance to Palau through its former Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs and Ministry of State to support its implementation of this act.

List of statements from 38th session of the Universal Periodic Review

Minister Payne opens the Dame Enid Lyons Room at the Australian Embassy in Washington DC. Dame Enid was the first woman elected to the Australian House of Representatives and also the first woman to serve as a member of the Cabinet.