A/HRC/17/10
to all special procedures and ratification of most human rights treaties. It hoped that
Australia would ratify the international instruments it is not yet a party to yet, particularly
ICRMW and ILO Convention No. 169. Mexico made recommendations.
78.
Ghana stated that it applauded Australia for the important steps it had recently taken
to re-set its relationship with the Indigenous peoples. Ghana referred to concerns expressed
by treaty bodies about Australia’s asylum-seeker and refugee policy, and legislative
framework, such as the indefinite detention of stateless persons, the keeping of children in
detention-like conditions in remote areas and, at times, separated from their parents. Ghana
made recommendations.
79.
Ukraine welcomed the establishment of a new Parliamentary Joint Committee on
Human Rights, which will provide greater scrutiny of legislation for compliance with
Australia’s international human right obligations. Ukraine asked about the measures taken
to implement the recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s
National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention, particularly to ensure that
children are no longer held in immigration detention. Ukraine made a recommendation.
80.
Guatemala appreciated Australia’s commitment to reconciliation with indigenous
peoples through positive initiatives such as their constitutional recognition, the “Closing the
Gap” campaign, the preservation of indigenous languages and a unified law against
discrimination. It also welcomed the Human Rights Framework and asked whether the
Parliamentary Committee would be the only mechanism supervising the follow-up to the
recommendations of United Nations human rights mechanisms. Guatemala made
recommendations.
81.
Denmark commended Australia for the endorsement of the Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It noted with appreciation that Australia intended to take
steps to ensure that its counter-terrorism measures are fully consistent with its international
human rights obligations. Denmark made recommendations.
82.
Argentina welcomed the adoption of the Human Rights Framework including
awareness-raising programmes on human rights and trainings for the civil service in order
to consolidate the protection of human rights in the implementation of policies and laws.
Argentina made recommendations.
83.
Israel stated that ground breaking legislative developments coupled with the
National Human Rights Framework were indicative of Australia’s leadership role in
incorporating a human rights based approach within its national legislation as well as its
practice. It stated that Australia struck the delicate balance between the full realization of its
people’s fundamental rights and freedoms while it simultaneously undertook all feasible
steps to combat terrorism. Israel made recommendations.
84.
Norway raised concerns about the reported high level of violence against women,
particularly in indigenous communities. It welcomed the 2008 National Human Rights
Consultation as well as Australia’s national apology to indigenous peoples, the
reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act and support for the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It noted that a Human Rights Act had not
yet been adopted and that there were reports of discrimination and socio-economic
disadvantage of indigenous peoples. Norway made recommendations.
85.
In closing, the Australian delegation announced commitments regarding how the
Australian Government intends to follow up its universal periodic review in Australia. First,
it intends to consult extensively with the Australian Human Rights Commission and nongovernment organizations, reflecting on the universal review process and considering how
recommendations can best be addressed. Secondly, it intends to establish a publicly
accessible online database of recommendations from the United Nations system. Thirdly, it
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