Australia presses for Human Rights Council seat despite UN criticism

While the previous Labor government announced Australia's candidature, Ms Bishop is personally committed to the bid. She said last year Australia could achieve more on the Human Rights Council than the Security Council.

 

In September the incoming UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jordan's Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, said Australia's offshore processing of asylum seekers and turn-back-the-boats policy had led to "a chain of human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and possible torture following return to home countries".

 

The parliamentary human rights committee, chaired by Liberal senator Dean Smith, last month found the Abbott government's tough new youth welfare policies breach Australia's human rights obligations. The committee also raised concerns that new national security laws could allow ASIO officers to use investigative techniques causing psychological distress or physical pain.

 

Human Rights Commission president Gillian Triggs said she expects Australia to win a seat but that tough questions will be asked about the country's record on asylum seekers.

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