In line with the Australian Government’s commitment to reclaim its ‘reputation as a leader in the international protection of human rights’, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, the Joint Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is conducting an inquiry on human rights mechanisms in the Asia-Pacific.
The Centre has made a Submission on Australia’s Role in Promoting Human Rights in the Pacific which sets out a framework for regional engagement and dialogue around human rights. The submission focuses on Australia’s engagement with Pacific Island countries.
The submission emphasises that Australia’s unilateral promotion of a model of human rights protection which pays insufficient attention to the needs and priorities of Pacific Island governments and civil society would not only be unsuccessful; it would potentially alienate key stakeholders and detract from the promotion of human rights in the region.
Rather, the Centre recommends that Australia make a constructive and collaborative contribution to the promotion of human rights in the Pacific though:
- human rights education and capacity-building programs;
- support for national human rights institutions;
- the provision of technical and financial assistance for increased engagement with the international human rights system; and
- support for Pacific-lead initiatives promoting the development of a regional mechanism.
