International relations

Partnership between the Government of Australia (GOA) and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agencies (FFA) 2018-2028

Countering racism and racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, and tackling racial inequality, are challenges faced by every State, which can be overcome through solidarity and cooperation.

The UN Charter acknowledges the domestic jurisdiction of member states. But it also affirms that human rights are universal – appeals to “State sovereignty” cannot be used to shield a country from scrutiny for its behavior toward those within its borders. Indeed, this notion lies at the very foundations of the UN, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and this very Council. The Human Rights Council has the responsibility to act when states are not meeting their obligations – a responsibility articulated in UNGA resolution 60/251.

Australia reaffirms the significance and relevance of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

We remain deeply concerned by continuing human rights violations, including ongoing arbitrary detention, and reports of rape and sexual abuse of detained women and girls.