Human Rights Council - 27th Regular Session
Item 4 General Debate
Australian Statement
16 September 2014
Australia remains deeply troubled by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea’s systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations. The Australian Government calls on the Government of the DPRK to begin immediately to address the basic human rights of its people. Australia urges implementation of the recommendations of the DPRK Commission of Inquiry, including investigation of crimes against humanity.
Australia is deeply concerned over Iran’s human rights record, despite some positive signals over the past year. In particular, we are concerned about the high number of executions, ongoing ill treatment of ethnic and religious minorities, torture of prisoners, and continued restrictions on the exercise of civil and political rights.
Australia urges the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo to end gross human rights violations, including impunity for torture, sexual and gender based violence, and the recruitment of children by armed groups.
The Australian Government condemns absolutely the terrorist acts of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and associated groups, which have demonstrated far reaching threats to human rights and international security. Australia supports investigations into the unconscionable crimes committed in order to bring perpetrators to account and obtain justice for the many victims.