Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

statement696

Human Rights Council - 28th Regular Session

Australian statement after action

27 March 2015

Australia is pleased to co-sponsor resolution L.25 on the prevention of genocide. 2015 marks the tenth anniversary of the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document, where world leaders unanimously endorsed the responsibility of all States to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Australia supports all efforts towards the prevention of genocide and welcomes the new framework of analysis for atrocity crimes developed by the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect.

We note the adoption of draft resolution L.27 on the right to privacy in the digital age which establishes a Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy. We understand this Special Rapporteur will have a broad mandate to consider the right to privacy, as set out in Article 12 of the UDHR and Article 17 of the ICCPR. Australia firmly believes that individuals enjoy the same human rights online as offline. We thank the main sponsors for their constructive engagement.

Australia welcomes the adoption of resolution L.18 on the human rights situation in DPRK. It is imperative that the international community remains focused on this deeply concerning situation. We believe the panel mandated by this resolution will contribute to this objective.

We note the adoption of resolution L.30 on the effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights. Australia strongly condemns all acts of terrorism. Measures to combat terrorism must be carried out with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. We lend our support to the Mexico-led resolution on protecting human rights while countering-terrorism, which enjoyed the consensus of the Human Rights Council.

Australia is pleased to co-sponsor resolution L.29 on technical assistance to Iraq to promote and protect human rights. Australia condemns the serious international crimes being committed by Daesh and associated armed groups in Iraq. We commend the Government of Iraq for its constructive engagement on this resolution and its commitment to address and investigate all alleged abuses and violations of human rights.