Human Rights Council – 46th session

General Debate: Item 10

22 March 2021

Australian Statement

Australia strongly supports the Council’s mandate for technical assistance and capacity building as a critical means of promoting and protecting human rights. This is an important tool aiming at strengthening the capacity of States to prevent human rights violations and comply with their obligations.

Technical assistance and capacity building is to be provided in consultation with and with the consent of the concerned State. Only with an inclusive exercise that encompasses all stakeholders, including National Human Rights Institutions and civil society, can this assistance be most impactful on the ground. In providing technical assistance and capacity building, we underscore the importance of the principles of equality and non-discrimination.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has a crucial role in this regard. It is critical that the OHCHR has clear and sufficient core funding for the mandated functions of the Office. We urge all UN member states to prioritise securing adequate funding for the UN’s human rights pillar, with the promotion and protection of human rights being indispensable to development, peace and security.

Australia remains committed to supporting the OHCHR including through our contributions to voluntary trust funds administered by the Office, such as the Voluntary Trust Fund for the Participation of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

[212 words]