Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Statement379

Universal Periodic Review of Argentina - 14th Session

Statement by Australia

22 October 2012


Australia welcomes the efforts of the Government of Argentina since its last Universal Periodic Review to implement recommendations and improve the protection of human rights. Australia welcomes the criminalisation of enforced disappearances in Argentina’s Criminal Code in April 2012. We note the difficulties of prosecuting crimes that took place decades ago, but encourage Argentina to persevere in its efforts to bring perpetrators of human rights abuses to justice.

We applaud the passing of legislation protecting the rights of people with disabilities, and look forward to the development of regulations giving effect to this legislation in practical and concrete ways. We welcome Argentina’s efforts to fight discrimination, including through its 2005 independent diagnosis of discrimination in all its forms, and encourage Argentina in its efforts to continue this important work.

Australia is concerned about media freedoms and the fair and impartial use of legal process governing the media in Argentina. It notes reports of some 161 threats or attacks against journalists in the first half of 2012 alone. Australia recommends Argentina undertake further measures to ensure the protection of journalists.

Australia acknowledges Argentina’s efforts to reform institutional and human rights infrastructure and policies and encourages Argentina to continue these efforts, including through the formulation of a national mechanism for the prevention of torture, and through work to improve conditions in all prisons and detention centres to comply with international standards. We are concerned about claims that violence against women (including human trafficking) continue to be a serious problem, and recommend Argentina devise and implement policies to facilitate victims’ access to justice and support.