#australia

It is the first time Australia has been elected a member of the UN Human Rights Council. Australia’s Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove has made the country’s first address as a UN Human Rights Council member, saying Australia is “deeply committed” to promoting equality for all. Australia was elected for a three-year term on the Council in October last year, alongside Angola, Ukraine and Afghanistan. Sir Peter told the council, Australia will use its new position to promote freedom of expression, the non-discrimination and non-violence of LGBTI people, and religious freedoms. Australia will also work to advance the rights of Indigenous people, he said. “We have a duty to promote the rights of the most vulnerable, oppressed, discriminated communities, and to seek universality of human rights to all parts of our world,” Sir Peter said. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the council seat was a great achievement for Australia. But she has responded to those critiquing the government’s refugee and asylum

read more Peter Cosgrove vows to promote equality in new UN human rights position, SBS News