26 June 2001
Human Rights Commission welcomes UN Treaties Report
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission President Professor Alice Tay has welcomed the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Australia's Role in United Nations Reform.
Professor Tay said that the committee's conclusion that the UN is an essential element of international relations in the post Cold War world was an important affirmation of the UN and its role in protection of human rights worldwide.
"As the committee recognised, the protection of human rights underpins the United Nations' system," Professor Tay said. "The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission recognises significant weaknesses in the current system, including overlapping reporting procedures and inadequate resources at the UN to deal with the reporting requirements. The Commission believes, however, that the fundamental role of the UN in protecting human rights must be ensured and that Governments should reaffirm their commitments to the UN."
"In its own way, the Commission has played a significant role in the development of human rights protection in the Asia-Pacific region through the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. The Federal Government has been supportive of that role."
Professor Tay, who is also acting Sex Discrimination Commissioner, called on the Federal Government to ratify the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, as recommended in the majority report and supported by five Coalition members.
"The Government's refusal last year to sign the Optional Protocol denied Australian women a valuable mechanism to ensure their protection against discrimination and violence'" Professor Tay said. "Australia has a proud and acknowledged history as a good international citizen and the signing of the Optional Protocol would assist in continuing that role. Australia has an opportunity to show leadership and set standards for women throughout the world. Women from the Pacific region have strongly urged Australia's adoption of the Optional Protocol to demonstrate leadership in the Pacific and to encourage their own Governments."
Professor Tay said the Optional Protocol was significant for the wellbeing of nations with less developed domestic mechanisms, but also for nations such as Australia, because it provides a 'backup' for the gaps that exist in domestic mechanisms.
The Committee report Australia's Role in United Nations Reform, tabled in both Houses of Parliament on 25 June 2001, is available at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/U_Nations/UNRptindx.htm
Media contact: Janine MacDonald (02) 9284 9880 or 0412 783 631
Last updated 2 December 2001.
