Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 41st Session

Universal Periodic Review of Poland

Statement by Australia

Tuesday 15 November 2022

Thank you, [President/Vice President]

Australia welcomes Poland’s commitment to respect, promote and fulfill human rights obligations. We commend Poland for the immense humanitarian support it has provided to people forced to leave Ukraine. Australia acknowledges Poland’s progress in continuing to address violence and discrimination against women and girls.  

Australia recommends that Poland:

1. Ensure the universal protection of the right of women and girls to access safe and legal abortions, including refugees.
2. Introduce a consent-based definition of rape, amongst other measures, to protect family and domestic violence survivors.
3. Introduce legislation against hate crimes and expand existing education programs to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and race to protect members of marginalized communities.
4. Uphold the independence of the judiciary to maintain the rule of law and avoid reforms that put unwarranted pressure on judges.

[138 words]