Capacity building plays a critical role in preventing human rights violations and abuses and supporting states to meet their international human rights obligations.

No state has a perfect human rights record. Australia’s engagement with the UPR process, treaty bodies, special procedures and the GANHRI accreditation process informs our efforts to honestly assess our own progress on human rights.

Australia commends those states that have engaged with the Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and those who have sought technical assistance to improve the human rights situation in their country.

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 adequate funding for the UN’s human rights pillar, with the promotion and protection of human rights being integral 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. Active participation by all states is important to ensure all dimensions of human rights issues are reflected in the work of the Council.