A significant review conducted by the United Nations has called on Australia to raise the age of criminal responsibility and adopt a national Human Rights Act. The review, part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), took place in Geneva, where representatives from over 120 countries assessed Australia’s human rights record and made crucial recommendations for reform.
During the review process, countries expressed serious concerns about the treatment of First Peoples, highlighting issues of inequality, racial discrimination, and justice outcomes. Hugh de Kretser, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, who attended the review in Geneva, stated that the global community expects Australia, as a wealthy democracy, to lead in human rights practices. He emphasized the need for improvement in various areas.
Many participating countries specifically urged Australia to raise the age of criminal responsibility, which currently allows children as young as 10 to be arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned. This practice has been described as inhumane and inconsistent with international human rights standards. de Kretser noted that First Peoples are disproportionately affected by these laws, further underscoring the urgency for reform.
The review also raised significant issues regarding racism and discrimination within Australia. Countries called for enhanced legal protections against hate speech and other forms of discrimination. There was a notable emphasis on the necessity for Australia to implement a national Human Rights Act, which would create a legal framework to protect individual rights more effectively.
“A Human Rights Act would require our national government to protect people’s rights,” said de Kretser. “It would prevent human rights violations and provide a mechanism for individuals to seek justice if their rights are infringed.” He asserted that this reform is long overdue and essential for the health of Australia’s democracy.
In addition to these pressing concerns, the review addressed Australia’s treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, the rights of individuals with disabilities, and the need to recognize climate change as a human rights issue, particularly regarding its impact on neighboring Pacific nations. While some progress was noted since the previous review in 2021, especially in gender equality and violence against women and children, ongoing action is deemed necessary to sustain improvements.
de Kretser described this review as the most significant international evaluation of Australia’s human rights record to date. “Australia should accept these recommendations and implement them. Protecting human rights makes our communities fairer, safer, and more prosperous,” he concluded.
The Australian Human Rights Commission contributed to the UPR through its independent submission detailing Australia’s human rights status, alongside input from various UN human rights bodies and civil society organizations. The overwhelming call for reform from the international community serves as a critical reminder of the work that lies ahead for Australia in addressing these persistent human rights challenges.
