AUSTRALIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY
Australia takes an active and constructive approach to improving human rights standards and systems internationally, including through: targeted development assistance programs; supporting good governance and the establishment of national human rights institutions; encouraging multilateral, regional and bilateral discussion of human rights issues; and working to develop and strengthen the effectiveness of regional and international human rights institutions and instruments. Australia addresses human rights issues through action in multilateral fora such as the UN Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and by raising particular concerns with individual countries. Australia holds dedicated bilateral human rights dialogues with China and Vietnam. Australia is a party to numerous international human rights treaties and instruments.
At CHR in 2005, Australian resolutions on good governance and national human rights institutions were adopted by consensus. Australia also contributed to positive outcomes on resolutions dealing with the human rights situations in Sudan, the DPRK, Cuba and Burma.
Australia has served on the CHR since 2003, and was elected President of the CHR for the first time in 2004. Australia is working with others to promote practical proposals to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to hold serious abusers of human rights more accountable.
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