Human Rights Council – 14th Session
Item 2: Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Australian statement
Australia would like to thank the High Commissioner for her detailed and informative statement this morning and congratulates the OHCHR for its efforts in the protection and promotion of human rights. We particularly welcome the OHCHR’s response in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in January of this year, as well as efforts to establish a country office in Guinea.
We further thank the High Commissioner for the broad range of reports presented during this session of the Human Rights Council. The number and scope of the reports highlights the valuable work of the OHCHR.
We read with interest the comprehensive update of the work undertaken by UN treaty bodies to protect and promote economic, social and cultural rights. As highlighted in the report, in 2009 Australia was proud to welcome, through its standing invitation to UN Special Procedures mandate-holders, visits from the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya, and the Special Rapporteur on Health, Anand Grover.
Australia was also interested in the High Commissioner’s report on operationalising the Protect, Respect, Remedy framework, in relation to business and human rights. Australia agrees with the High Commissioner that civil society has played a major role in placing business and human rights on the human rights agenda.
Mr President
Australia is a firm and longstanding supporter of the High Commissioner and her Office. An essential requirement for the success of the High Commissioner in fulfilling her mandate to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights is her independence. The High Commissioner must be able to set her own priorities and workplans free from the influence of States.
As a sign of Australia’s strong support, we continue to increase our voluntary contribution to the OHCHR, including increased funding to support the OHCHR’s Regional Office for the Pacific.
Finally, we look forward to the opportunity to discus with the High Commissioner Australia’s recently launched Human Rights Framework, which outlines action the Government will take to promote and protect human rights in Australia.