Human Rights Council – 48th session

Item 4: General Debate

24 September 2021

Australian Statement

Australia is deeply concerned about the human rights and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan. We call on the Taliban to allow safe passage for citizens and visa holders and to allow unimpeded access for all humanitarian workers. We will judge the Taliban by their actions and call on them to uphold human rights, cease violence and ensure terrorism does not find a home in Afghanistan.

Australia is alarmed by violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Syria, Yemen and Ethiopia. We call on relevant parties to protect, respect and promote human rights.

We continue to hold grave concerns about numerous and credible reports of human rights violations and abuses against Uighurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, including restrictions on freedom of religion, large-scale extrajudicial detention, mass surveillance, forced labour and forced birth control, including forced sterilisation. Australia again calls on China to allow urgent, unfettered access to Xinjiang for the High Commissioner.

We condemn the horrific violence and high death toll in Myanmar. We call on the regime to refrain from further violence, and immediately implement its commitments under the ASEAN Five Point Consensus.

Australia welcomes the Venezuela-led negotiations in Mexico. We remain deeply concerned by the political, economic and humanitarian situation in Venezuela. Participation from all stakeholders is essential for a peaceful solution to the crisis.