The report identifies critical human rights issues where Australia is falling short of its legal obligations and recommends steps Australia must take to improve its human rights record, including:  

• An Australian Human Rights Act is the missing piece at the heart of Australia’s laws and policies, which would establish clear minimum human rights protections and mean governments have to consider people’s rights when designing policies and delivering services. 

• Ongoing systemic racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a critical human rights failing, with urgent action needed to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 to stop 10 year old children growing up in jail, fully incorporate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into Australian laws, establish a Makarrata Commission, and implement self-determined solutions to justice problems.  
• Gender-based violence remains a persistent and serious problem, and legal protections must be strengthened for survivors and to stop family violence from happening in the first place. 

For organisations looking to engage with the NGO UPR Coalition and UPR Review:

Read and endorse the NGO Coalition Report. These are the most urgent and impactful changes to improve human rights in Australia.

For more information about our Report advocacy process, please contact us at upr@hrlc.org.au.