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4 Key national priorities, initiatives, and commitments

  1. The role of national human rights institutions in promoting and protecting human rights at the national level is well recognised, as is their contribution to the international human rights system.[70] The international community has highlighted the need for the Australian Government to strengthen the Australian Human Rights Commission and for the necessary funding to be provided in order for the Commission to fulfil its mandate.[71] ACHRA welcomes the Australian Government’s pledge to adequately fund the Commission.
  2. ACHRA commends the Australian Governments appointment of a National Children’s Commissioner, and calls for the Commissioner to be independent, adequately resourced and accessible to children.[72] ACHRA hopes to see the appointment made by the end of 2012.
  3. As Australia approaches the halfway mark between its UPR appearances, ACHRA urges that the Australian Government present a mid-term report to the UN Human Rights Council on progress made thus far and plans for further implementation of the accepted recommendations.

[70] National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, Human Rights Council Resolution 20/L.15, UN Doc A/HRC/20/L.15 (2012). National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, General Assembly Resolution 64/161, UN Doc A/RES/64/161 (2010).

[71] UPR recommendation 27, in addition to recommendations from the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC) Sub-Committee on Accreditation.

[72] Australian Human Rights Commission, Information concerning Australia and the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Australian Human Rights Commission submission to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (2011). At http://www.hreoc.gov.au/human_rights/children/index.html (viewed 2 November 2012).