The Law Council of Australia has warned that urgent action is required to address human rights violations in a submission to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The UN will assess Australia’s human rights compliance at its Fourth Cycle Universal Periodic Review.
Law Council of Australia President Juliana Warner said: “The Australian Government must ensure equality before the law and other critical human rights protections. This is an opportunity to reflect on Australia’s track record and consider how we can do better.
“A number of human rights issues persist since the last review.”
The LCA said these issues included the introduction of a Federal Human Rights Act , the state of Australia’s child justice system and the ongoing over-incarceration of First Nations peoples.
All three issues are also highlighted in the Queensland Law Society’s Call to Parties Statement.
“The upcoming meeting of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General is a crucial opportunity to address these urgent issues before Australia’s appearance at the United Nations next year,” the LCA said.
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