Australian Government to face scrutiny on human rights track record at the UN
Australia’s human rights record is set to face intense scrutiny in 2020 when the Australian Government appears before the Human Rights Council in Geneva for its major four yearly human rights review.
As part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), other countries that are members of the United Nations will question Australia about its human rights record and make recommendations for improvement.
Australia’s treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum was strongly condemned by the international community in its last review in 2015. Australia’s record on Indigenous peoples was also a significant focus of the review, in particular the rates at which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are targeted and locked up and experience gaps in health outcomes.
Disability issues, women’s rights and LGBTI rights – particularly marriage equality at that time, also featured heavily as well as the recommendation for a federal Charter of Human Rights.
The last review resulted in the Australian Government committing to ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, as well as committing to work with the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop a public and accessible process for monitoring Australia’s progress against UPR recommendations.
Opportunities for NGO Involvement
The UPR provides a key opportunity for NGO’s to inform the review through making an NGO submission. The most effective way for NGOs to influence the final document and recommendations is to co-ordinate efforts and provide the UN with a single, collaborative report.
The Human Rights Law Centre, with Caxton Legal Centre and Kingsford Legal Centre, is coordinating an NGO process for 2020. As with previous reviews, we will be working collaboratively with other NGOs.
If you or your organisation is interested in being involved, particularly in the development of a Joint NGO Report, or would like further information, please contact Edwina MacDonald at upr@hrlc.org.au or on 02 8599 2184.
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