Australia is a stable, democratic and culturally diverse nation with a highly skilled workforce and one of the strongest performing economies in the world.
The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and the United States Secretary of State, reiterate serious concern regarding China’s imposition of new rules to disqualify elected legislators in Hong Kong.
Let me start by thanking Poland for hosting this year’s Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief in the context of the challenging COVID-19 situation.
Australia is pleased to be working with Media Freedom Coalition members around the world on strengthening press freedoms and supporting the safety of journalists.
Australia and the Pacific Community (SPC) have renewed their longstanding partnership, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the sustainable development of the Pacific.
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.
Australia commends Croatia on its continued commitment to human rights and its ongoing constructive engagement with the Universal Periodic Review process.
Australia welcomes the ceasefire in Libya and discussions among the parties about elections to unify the country. We urge all parties to redouble efforts to ensure full and effective participation of women in the peace process within the Libyan Political Agreement and include human rights guarantees in the new Constitution.