Media Release
FA182 - 10 December 2002
International Human Rights Day
Today marks the anniversary of one of the most important commitments
ever made by the international community - the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights.
On this day 54 years ago, Governments around the world agreed that
every human being should enjoy certain inalienable rights, regardless
of gender, age, race, religious belief or political affiliation.
Australia was one of eight countries who drafted the Declaration
and we remain strong supporters of the international human rights
framework.
In the past five decades, Australia has served a total of 21 years
on the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Earlier this year,
we were elected to serve a further three-year term from 1 January
2003. Membership will further boost our ability to influence the
multilateral human rights agenda.
Our human rights credentials are widely recognised internationally
and regionally and we are proud of our record of making a difference
in their observance at grass-roots levels.
Our regional efforts include helping our neighbours construct human
rights institutions as evidenced by Australia's assistance to the
Indonesian Human Rights Commission Komnas Ham and ongoing funding
to the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions.
We maintain the view that constructive cooperative dialogue is the
best way to promote human rights bilaterally. Many other countries
are now seeing the benefits of such dialogue - an approach pioneered
by Australia - and are following our example.
I am pleased that Iran has joined China and Vietnam in holding bilateral
dialogues with Australia on human rights. The inaugural round of
our dialogue with Iran, which was held in Tehran on 8-9 December,
marks a welcome development in our substantial and developingrelationship.
The talks were very productive, reflecting the evident commitment
of both sides to move the relationship forward, including in areas
where we have differences. The atmosphere was positive and constructive.
Australian officials reaffirmed the importance of human rights in
Australian foreign policy and emphasised the Government's wish to
discuss human rights matters with Iran in an open and constructive
way. I do not believe that it is productive to lecture other countries
about human rights. Rather we aim to work together to achieve practical
outcomes which tangibly improve the lives of individuals.
The dialogue included discussions with a number of Iranian Government
agencies and key political and religious figures directly responsible
for matters relevant to human rights in Iran.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) +61 02 6277 7500 / Julie
McDonald (Departmental) +61 02 6261 1555
Local Date:
Tuesday, 22-May-2012 07:13:38 EST
