Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 41st Session

Universal Periodic Review of the United Kingdom of Australia

Statement by Australia

10 November 2022

Thank you, [President/Vice President]

Australia commends the United Kingdom for its longstanding leadership in shaping, protecting and promoting human rights domestically and internationally.

Supporting the rights of peoples with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities is a value shared by Australia and the UK. We welcome The Marriage (Same-sex Couples) and Civil Partnership (Opposite-sex Couples) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2019 coming into effect in Northern Ireland in the previous reporting period.

Australia recommends that the United Kingdom:

1. Ensure that the current level of human rights protection provided by the Human Rights Act 1998 is maintained and improved if legislation is replaced or reformed.
2. Continue work to reform the Gender Recognition Act based on international human rights standards, including recognition of trans and non-binary individuals.
3. Continue efforts to identify and eliminate barriers to access to health care and services for persons with disabilities.

[143 Words]