Human Rights Council - 27th Regular Session
Item 3 - Clustered Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence
and Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Statement by Australia
10 September 2014
Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence.
Australia supports the report’s focus on the difficulties faced by prosecutors in the aftermath of serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Prioritisation strategies may be needed to enable national prosecutors to deal with significant numbers of perpetrators of serious international crimes in a manner consistent with international standards.
Specifically, we see value in strategies providing a framework for prosecutors to give direction to investigations, concentrate prosecutorial efforts and guide the deployment of necessary resources.
Those most responsible for serious international crimes must be held to account through criminal investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution, in accordance with international standards. Australia recognises that this may require a tiered approach to prosecutions, taking into account considerations such as the gravity of the crime. However, without justice it is very difficult to establish an inclusive and lasting peace.
Australia agrees that States must not grant amnesty to those responsible for serious international crimes.
Establishing robust criminal justice processes can ensure justice is served, victims are given recognition and trust is restored. It is through the re-building of societies in which human rights are protected that we have our best chance at non-recurrence.