National Statement on Human Rights made by Mr Andrew Goledzinowski, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Third Committee, as delivered on 27 October 2010.
(as delivered)
Australia is a dedicated and constructive multilateralist, as committed to human rights today as we were 65 years ago when we worked with other founding nations to bring about the UN Charter.
As Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Australia’s first female head of government has said, ‘a culture of human rights is critical to a democratic society and to the protection of the rights of all, ensuring that everyone, no matter their background or beliefs, enjoys a fair go.’
In our statement last year to Third Committee we addressed our national human rights consultations. In April this year, those consultations resulted in a National Human Rights Framework focused on human rights education and awareness-raising. This represents a significant step forward in the promotion and protection of human rights in Australia. Importantly the Framework establishes a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; requires new Bills to Parliament to be compatible with our international human rights obligations; consolidates existing federal anti-discrimination legislation; and establishes a Human Rights National Action Plan and an annual NGO Human Rights Forum.
Australia is committed to the universal human rights of Indigenous peoples. In April, we successfully nominated Indigenous Australian academic and advocate, Megan Davis, to the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. We are building on the Apology - on behalf of the nation - to Indigenous Australians for past mistreatment. We accept we can do more. We are working on this challenge. In September, the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Indigenous peoples in Australia highlighted several areas of critical concern. Our considerable efforts in working to address Indigenous disadvantage are ongoing, with a range of measures aimed at Closing the Gap between the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Australia remains committed to protecting human rights in situations of armed conflict. We are the 12th highest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget. Australia is playing a leading role in developing guidelines on protection of civilians in peace operations.
In January 2009 and 2010, Australia partnered with Uruguay to examine protection of civilian mandates in practice in peacekeeping operations, providing a New York forum for troop and police contributing countries to discuss the independent DPKO/OCHA study on Protecting Civilians in the Context of UN Peacekeeping Operations. In March this year, Australia co-hosted an African Union symposium on protection of civilians. We are working closely with the AU on draft protection of civilian guidelines for its Peace Support Operations.
There remains a gap between our collective expectations on what the UN system should be able to do and the actual capacity of peacekeepers on the ground. Operational guidance, training and resources need to be provided to mission leadership and peacekeepers, so that they are prepared to take action in response to threats against civilians.
Australia was pleased to support the joint ‘Analytical Inventory’ developed by DPKO and UNIFEM, under the auspices of the inter-agency network UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. This is a key tool for the UN to use in improving its ability to protect civilians from sexual violence in conflict as part of peacekeeping operations. We commit to working with our UN partners to fully operationalise this tool, including by incorporating it into pre-deployment training for peacekeepers. Australia will financially support the roll-out of the scenario-based training materials for peacekeepers to prevent and respond to sexual violence.
We strongly support the principle of the Responsibility to Protect. Our Foreign Minister, Mr Rudd, participated in a Ministerial Meeting on R2P during leaders’ week in September, highlighting Australia’s commitment to strengthening international capacity to prevent and halt mass atrocities.
On the 10 year anniversary of Resolution 1325, Australia again recognises the significant role women continue to play in preventing, managing and resolving conflict. The Government is a founding supporter of women, peace and security. We continue to encourage all States to fulfil our collective commitment to implementing 1325, including by developing robust national action plans. Australia is currently preparing such a plan.
Australia warmly welcomes the establishment of UN Women, and the appointment of Under-Secretary-General Michelle Bachelet. We look forward to working closely with Ms Bachelet to better promote gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world, including in the Pacific. We also look forward to working with her to advance work on women, peace and security.
Australia remains committed to the rights and livelihoods of persons with disabilities. We congratulate our fellow Australian Professor Ron McCallum, the current Chair of the Committee of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, on his re-election. We look forward to the Committee beginning its consideration of state party reports – one vital way to help improve the enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities.
Australia strongly supports NHRI involvement in international human rights mechanisms globally, including the Human Rights Council and the Commission on the Status of Women. We also recognise and respect the role civil society plays in defending human rights, and in working with States towards better human rights outcomes.
This year, in the spirit of frank and mutually respectful dialogue, Australia made representations to all countries that carry out state executions and maintain capital punishment. We were encouraged to hear about the growing number of countries abolishing the death penalty or establishing a moratorium on executions – as well as to learn of national debates that are currently taking place on this issue.
Two years after the worst of the Global Financial Crisis - with worldwide price-hikes in water, food, energy, and housing - and a year out from the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, it remains imperative that the international community acknowledges the importance of economic, social and cultural rights.
The Australian Government puts the Millennium Development Goals at the heart of our aid program. As the UN Secretary-General has reminded us in his report “Keeping the Promise”, the MDGs are an expression of fundamental freedoms and basic human rights.
Australia acknowledges that access to water and sanitation is of critical importance to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. We have provided over $300 million in water and sanitation assistance globally since 2008. We were pleased at the focus given to this vital issue during the recent MDG Review Summit.
Australia is concerned by insufficient global progress on maternal and child health, including eliminating preventable maternal mortality. This September, Australia committed $1.6 billion over 5 years to maternal and child health, including major new programs across Africa and the Pacific. More tangible action is required to translate political will into reality.
Australia is proud to view itself as an MDG 2 Global Champion on education. Education is the best way to overcome poverty, to develop, to prosper, to advance. Between now and 2015 Australia expects to allocate $5 billion to education globally. That will also have a significant impact on improving the lives of women and girls.
Positive human rights developments at a national level continue to give Australia cause for hope.
We warmly welcomed Angola and Mongolia’s abolition of the death penalty. The Philippines through its 1325 National Action Plan, has shown a genuine commitment to addressing sexual violence. Botswana continues to play an important role in Africa as a leading light on good governance, democracy, and the rule of law.
Australia was also deeply impressed by the special efforts of Laos and Kiribati in the lead up to their most recent UPR Reviews. Despite a genuine lack of resources to do so, both of these member states submitted their response on time.
Some states are nonetheless failing their obligation to protect.
In Myanmar, we regret restrictive political conditions ahead of the 7 November elections and continue to urge Myanmar authorities to conduct the elections freely and fairly. There remains over 2,000 political prisoners in Myanmar, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Australia again calls for their unconditional release.
In Iran, violence and intimidation, the arbitrary arrest of human rights defenders and political activists, and the violation of political and media freedoms continues. Australia is concerned about the use of the death penalty, particularly stoning and suspension strangulation as a method of execution and by capital punishment for juveniles. We call for the stay of all executions. We remain concerned about the treatment of minorities, including Baha’is.
The harassment of civil society and human rights defenders, and restrictions on freedom of assembly and speech continues to be of concern in Zimbabwe. Ongoing delays in constitutional and electoral reform threaten to undermine Zimbabwe’s political and economic recovery. We call on all parties to meet their Global Political Agreement obligations.
The human rights situation in Fiji is worsening under an unelected, military-led interim Government. Rule by decree erodes human rights protections. Public Emergency Regulations and tight media censorship curtail freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. We urge the interim Government to return Fiji promptly to democracy and the rule of law.
In the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea the population suffers under a brutal regime committing a range of human rights abuses from denying basic needs - including the right to food - to torture and unlawful killings. Australia continues to provide humanitarian assistance through UN agencies and the Red Cross while working with the international community towards a political solution.
Australia recognises that a nation universally committed to human rights is a stronger, safer and more resilient nation. We seek to learn from the experiences of other nations. We recognise that we can do better – no country has an infallible human rights record and we will continue to work with other States with this premise as our starting point.
In this endeavour, Australia remains a dedicated and constructive multilateralist, taking our responsibility to meet our international human rights obligations seriously.