Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

statement730

Human Rights Council - 30th Regular Session

Clustered Interactive Dialogue

Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery including its causes and consequences

Australian Statement

14 September 2015

We note the report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. We congratulate Australian Ms Leigh Toomey on her recent appointment to the Working Group. We thank the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery including its causes and consequences for her report.

Australia has comprehensively criminalised human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices and is committed to playing a leading role in international efforts to address these crimes.

Australian’s five-year National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and Slavery was released in December 2014. Consistent with the plan, the Australian Minister for Justice has convened a Supply Chains Working Group to propose strategies to address the use of serious labour exploitation, such as servitude and forced labour, in the supply chains of goods and services.

Australia recognises the particular risk to vulnerable groups including women, children, migrants and people affected by poverty and lack of access to education. Could the Special Rapporteur provide examples of best practice in protecting these groups?