REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS

ATTORNEY-GENERAL
ROBERT McCLELLAND MP
AND
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
STEPHEN SMITH MP

21 April 2010

REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS

Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith today reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to its international human rights obligations as part of the launch of the Australia’s Human Rights Framework.

The Framework outlines key measures as part of the Government’s commitment to protect and promote human rights both domestically and internationally, including:

·         investing $2 million over four years for the development and delivery of community education and engagement programs by non-government organisations to promote a greater understanding of human rights;
·         developing a new National Action Plan on Human Rights, to be lodged with the United Nations, to outline future action for the protection and promotion of human rights; and
·         creating an annual NGO Human Rights Forum, combining meetings currently convened by the Attorney-General’s Department and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to create a comprehensive dialogue with non-government organisations on domestic and international human rights issues.

These measures follow a range of initiatives the Government has already taken to further engage with the international community to protect and promote human rights at home, in our region and in the rest of the world, including:

·         legislating to create a comprehensive Commonwealth offence of torture, consistent with our obligations under the Convention Against Torture;
·         legislating to prevent the reintroduction of the death penalty anywhere in Australia, consistent with obligations under the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
·         ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and acceding to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
·         acceding to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women;
·         signing the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; and
·         announcing support for the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

In addition, the Australian Government has also issued a standing invitation to international rapporteurs to visit and examine Australia's compliance with our international human rights obligations.

This represents a practical demonstration of our commitment to engage with the international community and lead by example to encourage other nations to review and continually improve their own human rights performance.

Strengthening the implementation of human rights through the adoption of the Framework will further enhance Australia’s standing as an advocate for the protection and promotion of human rights in international settings, such as the United Nations General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.

Media Contact:                       Adam Siddique (McClelland)             0407 473 630
Courtney Hoogen (Smith)                  0488 244 901

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REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS OBLIGATIONS