Australia has supported a resolution to pursue accountability for serious international crimes committed against Rohingyas in Rakhine state of Myanamr last year.
During the 39th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva on Friday, Australia delivered a strong statement highlighting the deeply disturbing situations in Myanmar’s Rakhine, Shan and Kachin states and condemning the atrocities committed, a press release issued from Australian High Commission here today said.
“We also supported a resolution to pursue accountability for serious international crimes,” the release said quoting the statement of Australian foreign Minister Marise Payne, placed at the HRC session.
It said Australia strongly condemned the ongoing human rights abuses in Syria, and expressed concerns for the situations in Burundi, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Australia led a successful resolution to recognise the vital role of National Human Rights Institutions that promote human rights, inclusive societies and sustainable development.
“We also amplified voices in the Pacific by delivering a statement on behalf of 15 neighbouring countries on our collective resolve to tackle barriers faced by people living with disability,” the Australian foreign minister said in the statement.
Australia reaffirmed its commitment to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples, including indigenous human rights defenders.
“We also joined cross-regional partners to support a resolution that addressed preventable maternal mortality,” Payne said in the statement.
Around 700,000 Rohimgyas took shelter in Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Rakhine state since last August following the brutal military actions termed by UN as “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” by rights groups.
