Australian Elected to the Human Rights Committee

Media Release

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer and the Attorney General, Hon Daryl Williams AM QC MP

Canberra, 15 September

Australian Elected to the Human Rights Committee

We are pleased to announce the election of Professor Ivan Shearer to the Human Rights Committee on Thursday 14 September at the United Nations in New York.

Professor Shearer was elected in the first round of voting at a meeting of States Parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He obtained the votes of 92 of the 137 countries which participated in the meeting.

It was a tough contest with a large field of high quality candidates. The other successful candidates were from the United Kingdom, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Colombia, Mauritius, Malta and Benin.

We congratulate Professor Shearer and the other eight candidates elected to the Committee today.

Professor Shearer's successful election to the Human Rights Committee reflects Australia's longstanding record of support for the promotion and protection of human rights.

Professor Shearer will serve on the Human Rights Committee as an independent expert. As a distinguished scholar, teacher and writer in the field of international law, Professor Shearer brings considerable stature and experience to the Committee. He has a strong background in public international law, and currently occupies the Challis Chair of International Law at Sydney University.

Professor Shearer succeeds another distinguished Australian, Justice Elizabeth Evatt, on the Human Rights Committee. The Australian Government appreciates the significant contribution Justice Evatt has made in her two terms on the Committee since 1993.

The Australian Government is firmly committed to strengthening the Treaty Body system and will be working actively with other countries and the UN to achieve this objective.

Media contacts: James Baker (Mr Downer) 02 6277 7500
Catherine Fitzpatrick (Mr Williams) 02 6277 7300