Australia takes a seat at the United Nations Human Right Council
Australia’s second session as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) commences in Geneva today.
Julie Bishop
Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said: “Gender equality and women’s rights is one of Australia’s priorities during our three-year term, and will be a prominent feature of the 38th session.”
Dr Sharman Stone, the Ambassador for Women and Girls will represent Australia, and will lead discussions on women’s participation in building resilience in small island developing states. Ambassador Stone will also deliver a statement on gender issues on behalf of a number of Pacific Island countries, elevating the voices of our Pacific neighbours at the HRC.
Julie Bishop added: “Australia recognises that national human rights institutions and civil society make an important contribution to the discussions at the HRC. I am pleased that we are working with June Oscar AO, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission, to promote the rights of indigenous women and girls.”
Over the three-week session, Australia will work with other UN members and civil society to protect and promote human rights worldwide.
I wonder whether these bright shining lights will also promote gender equality and acceptance of gender differences in the Middle East or, in order to pelase the majority of UN members, will lack of human rights across Middle East / Moslem countries be swept under the carpet as a ‘bit too hard’, ‘might offend the majority of UN members’ or ”a bit too controversial’.