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United Nations

International engagement

Wednesday 20 January, 2021
The Commission is Australia's 'A status' national human rights institution. The Commission's engages internationally with UN human rights mechanisms, NHRIs, and other countries.

'Some improvement but more to do': Australia reports to UN

Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow has briefed the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva on Australia’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

“The Australian Human Rights Commission acknowledges some positive developments in how Australia protects human rights,” Commissioner Santow said.

“This includes the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and legal protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.”

Australia adds its human rights expertise to UN Council

Australia’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council acknowledges the expertise and leadership Australia brings to international human rights, according to the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Rosalind Croucher.

Australia adds its human rights expertise to UN Council

Australia’s election to the United Nations Human Rights Council acknowledges the expertise and leadership Australia brings to international human rights, according to the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Rosalind Croucher.

Australia sponsors annual Human Rights Council resolution

On 29 September 2016, the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council adopted its annual resolution on ‘National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights’. The resolution was sponsored by Australia and co-sponsored by 64 other UN members States.

2010 Media Release: UN body to promote equality for women an historic initiative

Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, said today that the establishment of a single United Nations body to promote equality for women was momentous because it sent an international message that gender equality is and should be important to people and governments around the world.

2010 Media Release: Human rights agencies call for action on UN racial discrimination report

Australian human rights agencies have called for the full and prompt implementation of the recent UN CERD report on racial discrimination in Australia.

2010 Media Release:Business takes up human rights

The Australian Human Rights Commission has welcomed the launch of Australia’s first Human Rights Working Group for Business, established by the Global Compact Network Australia, a local network of the United Nations Global Compact.

2011 Media Release: Human Rights 2011 – coming to Sydney in May

The UN High Commissioner For Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will be the guest of honour at a major public event to be hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission in Sydney on Monday, 23 May.

2011 Media Release: Sydney opportunity to hear first-hand from UN Human Rights Chief

The UN High Commissioner For Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will be the guest of honour at a major public event to be hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission in Sydney on Monday, 23 May.