Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her presentation.

Australia condemns all discrimination and persecution based on religion or belief. We are committed to protecting the rights of all people to adopt, manifest, change or leave any religion or belief.

Australia is a member of the International Religious Freedom of Belief Alliance and the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief. We were proud to join the Alliance’s recent statements on the contribution of the Jewish Faith and Combating Antisemitism, and on Blasphemy and Related Offences.

Australia welcomes the report’s recognition that the guiding frameworks and concepts of the multilateral human rights system are drawn from religious, belief and cultural systems from across the globe, rather than exclusively “Western” systems. We consider this observation highlights the universal relevance and applicability of the system. It also underscores the system’s critical role in upholding a global order which respects the religion or beliefs of all peoples.

Australia asks how can States best collaborate with international organisations, civil society and other partners to support the positive human rights contributions of faith-based actors?