The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was tabled in parliament on 26 August 2008.
In our September 2008 Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, the Human Rights Law Resource Centre unreservedly supported Australia’s accession to the Optional Protocol. In addition, the HRLRC emphasised that the Optional Protocol should be ratified in its entirety to ensure the full benefit of accession is realised.
The HRLRC considers that accession to the Optional Protocol would:
- complement and strengthen existing domestic anti-discrimination mechanisms;
- foster and promote analysis (and change where necessary) of discriminatory laws and practices;
- strengthen Australia’s role within the international community;
- be consistent with the Australian Government’s commitment to constructive engagement with the UN human rights system and to the harmonisation of domestic laws, policies and practices with international human rights standards;
- be consistent with the Australian Government’s commitment to the promotion of equality and the rights of women; and
- enhance public awareness and understanding of the particular rights and fundamental freedoms of women.
The HRLRC further considers that the Optional Protocol can be implemented with relative ease within Australia’s existing political and legal structures and is unlikely to subject the Australian Government to a flood of complaints and investigations.
