International cooperation

Engagement with Human Rights Institutions around the world

The Commission works with other National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) and regional and global networks. Together, we exchange knowledge and experiences while collaborating to address common human rights challenges.

NHRI-to-NHRI exchange

The Commission works with NHRIs around the world to share knowledge, strengthen capability and exchange good practice. These relationships foster mutual learning, enabling institutions to share experiences, learn from diverse perspectives, and strengthen their impact in promoting and protecting human rights. Through international engagement, the Commission contributes to stronger human rights governance while also drawing on global expertise to inform and enhance its own work.

Recent collaborations have included the Fiji Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Commission, the Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), among others. These exchanges have focused on sharing practical approaches to human rights promotion and protection and strengthening institutional capacity.

Recent activities with the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission

Sister partnership in action: Australia’s and Fiji’s national human rights institutions strengthen their partnership through co-designed activities.

Learn more about our recent activities

Regional bodies

Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs

The Commission is a founding member of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), the official regional network of 26 NHRIs across the Asia Pacific. The Commission is the oldest and largest NHRI in the Asia Pacific region.

Through the APF, the Commission collaborates with peer institutions to address shared human rights challenges, exchange knowledge and good practice, and strengthen human rights practices across the region. The APF also facilitates cooperation, peer learning and engagement with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GAHNRI) and other international human rights mechanisms.

Global institutions

Global Alliance of NHRIs

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is the international association of all NHRIs, bringing together 119 member institutions from around the world to promote and strengthen the implementation of human rights. Through GAHNRI, the Commission contributes to global discussions on human rights and works alongside other NHRIs to engage with United Nations human rights mechanisms, share expertise, and advance common priorities.

Commonwealth Forum of NHRIs

The Commission is a member of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (CFNHRI), a network of NHRIs from across the Commonwealth.

Through CFNHRI, the Commission exchanges expertise with 46 peer institutions on emerging human rights issues, contributes to discussions on challenges facing Commonwealth countries and takes part in events held alongside biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.

Human Rights Cooperation Programs

For around 30 years, the Commission has worked alongside international partners to co-design and deliver human rights programs. These programs are made possible through funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Our approach to programs

The Commission tailors its support to the need and priorities of each partner. We help to embed long-term human rights capability within national institutions.

We take a human rights-based approach guided by the PANEL principles: Participation, Accountability, Non-discrimination and equality, Empowerment and Legality.

Our work is:

• Locally owned and led: partners identify their own priorities and strategies. The Commission supports as a long-term technical partner
• Institution-focused: we focus on strengthening systems, frameworks and institutional capability that provide the foundation for long-term, durable improvements
• Inclusive and participatory: we engage with governments, national institutions, civil society and rights holders, with particular attention to women, people with disability and diverse and marginalised groups
• Risk-aware and sustainable: we provide independent expert support that supports durable change in complex and sensitive environments.

Our work is highly collaborative, based on locally led development practices and long-standing peer relationships.

Current programs

Lao-Australia Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program (2024-2028)

The Lao-Australia human rights program is in its third phase of operation. DFAT has funded the Commission to administer the program since 2017. The Commission designs and delivers the program in partnership with the Department of Treaty and Law within the Laos Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Current focus areas include:

• engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms
• political leadership training programs
• human rights curriculum development.

Southeast Asia Government to Government Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program (2025-2028)

This multi-year program between DFAT and the Commission aims to strengthen human rights protections and implementation in Southeast Asia. We work with 3 partner organisations:

• The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)
• Cambodian Committee on Human Rights
• Philippines Commission on Human Rights.

Vietnam-Australia Technical Cooperation Program

For over 20 years, the Commission has administered a program alongside Vietnamese partners to advance the promotion of human rights in Vietnam. This would not be possible without funding from DFAT. The most recent phase of the Program – ending in 2026 – aimed to advance the promotion of human rights in Vietnam through:

• education
• responsible business conduct
• protection of the rights of older people
• digital rights.

Earlier programs

China-Australia Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program

The Commission previously administered human rights programs in China with funding from DFAT. The Program was first established in around 1998 and delivered in multi-year phases. The final phase of the Program concluded in June 2021.

Human Rights Dialogues

The Australian Government currently engages in bilateral Human Rights Dialogues with Vietnam and with Laos. The Vietnam-Australia Human Rights Dialogue is held annually, while the Lao-Australia Human Rights Dialogue occurs every 2 years. The Commission also supports the Australian Government’s regular human rights interface with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

Since 1999, the Commission has been involved as an independent member of the Australian delegation to Human Rights Dialogues. The Australian delegation is led by DFAT.

The Commission provides expertise on human rights as Australia’s NHRI, as well as updates on current Human Rights Cooperation Programs. The Commission also runs side activities that broaden participation and deepen engagement and exchange beyond the formal government-to-government discussions.

The Commission is committed to supporting Human Rights Dialogues as a valuable component of Australia’s approach to international human rights and development.

We advance human rights by learning and working together. Through international engagement, collaboration and shared expertise, we strengthen the people, institutions and systems making human rights progress possible.