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International Engagement

We strengthen human rights in Australia and around the world through international engagement, cooperation and shared learning.

InternationalUnited NationsHuman rights 27 July 2026

Summary

The Australian Human Rights Commission works with governments, national human rights institutions and regional partners to promote and protect human rights around the world.

The role of international engagement

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). We are established by law to promote and protect human rights in Australia and internationally.

The Commission is one of 119 NHRIs worldwide. The Commission holds ‘A Status’ accreditation under the Paris Principles in recognition of its independence, effectiveness and credibility. This is the highest level of accreditation available to national human rights institutions and confirms that the Commission fully complies with the Paris Principles.

The Paris Principles identify international engagement as a key function of NHRIs. For over 30 years, the Commission has engaged internationally to strengthen human rights protections and governance in different countries and regions.

How the Commission engages internationally

The Commission works with the United Nations, other NHRIs and regional partners to advance human rights and support the implementation of international human rights standards.

International engagement updates

Sister partnership in action: Australia’s and Fiji’s national human rights institutions strengthen their partnership through co-designed activities.
The Commission partnered with the Cambodia Human Rights Committee to convene a LGBT+ inclusion, equality and non-discrimination knowledge and experience exchange forum in March 2026
The Commission delivered an Australia Awards Fellowship in early 2026 focused on advancing the rights of women and people with disabilities in Laos. Funded by DFAT, the Fellowship built on the Commission’s long standing technical cooperation on human rights in Laos.
Leaders from the New Zealand Human Rights Commission recently visited leaders of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
From Vietnam to Ethiopia: the Australian Human Rights Commission is helping to connect human rights education across borders
The Commission recently joined partners in Halong, Vietnam to strengthen progress on human rights in business, and the rights of older people.
The Commission recently hosted a delegation of 20 academics from Vietnam for a study visit on business and human rights.
The Commission regularly and robustly engages in a range of UN human rights mechanisms, such as treaty body reporting and the creation of new conventions.
We strengthen human rights through international connections, collaboration and shared expertise.

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