Third Committee
1 November, 2004
Item 105(c) - Human Rights Situations
Statement by Senator John Tierney
Parliamentary Adviser to the Australian Delegation
(Check against delivery)
Mr Chairman
Last week Australia welcomed a delegation of senior Chinese officials for the eighth round of our bilateral human rights dialogue. This visit and dialogue exemplifies Australia’s approach to human rights – ongoing frank and constructive exchanges with another government across the broadest possible range of human rights concerns, supported by appropriate technical advice and cooperation. Australia’s prime concern in our promotion of human rights is to bring real improvements to people’s lives, and we believe the best way to achieve this is through such dialogue and cooperation. Australia is establishing a constructive dialogue with Vietnam, and has had one round of discussions with Iran.
Mr Chairman
It is deeply regrettable that after years of effort to promote human rights, there is not one region of our world that is free from serious human rights violations. In the spirit of constructive dialogue, and a desire to help ordinary people, Australia will continue to speak out against the treatment of those who do not enjoy the protection of robust democracy, of good governance, of a free press, of a strong civil society, and of the basic protections laid out in the human rights covenants. We will also continue to commend and encourage those countries which have made genuine progress in protecting the human rights of their peoples.
We focus our statement today on certain country situations of great concern to Australians. We acknowledge progress where this has been made. We draw particular attention to the plight of women, children and minorities, who often through the circumstances of their birth, have their lives or futures destroyed. We raise situations where the application of good governance could save lives, and foster freedom, development and a brighter future, and where the establishment of truly independent national human rights institutions would assist governments in protecting the human rights of their own citizens.
Mr Chairman
Australia welcomes progress in Iraq’s efforts to build a modern, representative democracy, firmly based on respect for human rights. While we recognise Iraq faces many challenges, not least in terms of security, Iraqis are embracing hard-won human rights such as freedom of speech, assembly and association. New political parties have emerged, women and minorities are engaged in political life, and Iraqis have access to a flourishing media. The Transitional Administrative Law, in which Australia is proud to have had a drafting role, provides a binding framework which clearly defines Iraq’s human rights obligations. We strongly encourage the international community to continue to support Iraq’s rehabilitation, and in particular to assist Iraq to complete arrangements for the elections scheduled for January 2005.
Australia is deeply concerned about the lack of progress towards improving human rights in Burma. We call on the Burmese government to take concrete steps to implement its roadmap to democracy, with priority for broad participation and open debate in the National Convention to draft a new constitution. We renew our call for the lifting of restrictions on freedom of association, expression and assembly, for the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, and for the elimination of forced labour and use of child soldiers. Australia continues to support the work of the Special Envoy, Tan Sri Razali Ismail.
Australia is appalled by the systematic campaign of human rights abuses carried out by the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe. Opposition supporters are harassed, intimidated, and tortured, and repression of the free press continues. Proposed legislation threatens to restrict severely NGOs’ ability to work to improve human rights. The Mugabe Government's policies continue to impoverish the people of Zimbabwe, and the need for food handouts is growing. Australia calls on the Mugabe Government to prevent further human rights violations and establish a framework for political reconciliation and economic recovery.
Australia is also deeply concerned by the ongoing humanitarian and human rights disaster in Darfur, western Sudan. The world has seen horrific atrocities, including indiscriminate killing and mass rape being used as a means of terror. We urge the Sudanese Government to comply with its international commitments and take action to disarm militias and prevent further violence.
The human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) continues to give Australia cause for grave concern. Australia urges the DPRK to engage fully and openly with the international community to address concerns about the human rights situation.
Australia is troubled by the human rights situation in Iran and is committed to engaging constructively with Iran on human rights issues. We are particularly concerned by reports of the execution of minors and urge Iran to comply with its obligations to protect the rights of children. Evidence of violations of legal due process and of the suppression of press and other freedoms of expression are also of concern. We urge Iran to do more to promote and protect the rights of women and to uphold the rights of minorities, including the Baha’i and Jewish communities.
Mr Chairman
We are pleased with the frank approach China takes to our bilateral Human Rights Dialogue. We note China is increasingly aware of the need to improve its human rights practices. We urge China to press ahead with planned legal and administrative reforms. We are nevertheless disappointed that China continues to detain political prisoners, including in Tibet, and are concerned at the number of executions over the past year, notably in Xinjiang Province. We urge China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as soon as possible. In particular, we encourage China to allow its citizens freedom of expression and assembly.
Australia continues to be deeply concerned about the appalling violence and loss of life flowing from the lack of progress in resolving the Middle East conflict and urges Israel and the Palestinian Authority to implement the Quartet’s Roadmap to Middle East peace. We welcome Prime Minister Sharon’s proposed withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank; but this, too, must be consistent with the requirements of the Roadmap and thereby give impetus to the peace process.
We welcome the free, fair and peaceful conduct of Indonesia’s parliamentary and first-ever direct presidential elections as an important step in its process of democratisation. Indonesia continues to face challenges in building a civil society with democratic institutions while confronting terrorism and separatism. Australia believes that a sustainable solution to separatism in Aceh and Papua lies in special autonomy within a united Indonesia. We remain concerned by reports of human rights abuses in these provinces.
Australia welcomes steps to bring an end to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). But we are horrified by the massacre of more than 150 Congolese refugees in Burundi in August. Australia calls on the Government of the DRC and rebel groups to prevent violence against civilians and take immediate action to ensure lasting peace and stability.
Australia is gravely concerned by the treatment of children by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda. The LRA continues to abduct children to fight its war, forcing them to commit appalling acts of violence. We urge the LRA to cease immediately its child abductions and call on the Ugandan Government to continue efforts to end this conflict.
In concluding, Mr Chairman, let me take this opportunity to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to working constructively with the United Nations and with all governments to bring about real improvements in human rights for all peoples.