Report card warns of human rights failures
25 July 2025
In a submission to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Law Council of Australia has warned that urgent action is required to address human rights violations in Australia.
“The Australian Government must ensure equality before the law and other critical human rights protections,” Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner said.
“The United Nations will assess Australia’s human rights compliance at its Fourth Cycle Universal Periodic Review.
“This is an opportunity to reflect on Australia’s track record and consider how we can do better.
“A number of human rights issues persist since the last review.
“The introduction of a Federal Human Rights Act is long overdue and would be a positive step towards safeguarding individual rights and meeting our international obligations.
“The crisis state of Australia’s child justice system and the ongoing over-incarceration of First Nations peoples also require immediate attention.
“Australia has gone backwards when it comes to protecting children’s rights through ‘tough on crime’ approaches that do not meet international human rights standards and are unsupported by medical and criminological evidence. Those approaches disproportionately impact vulnerable children, including First Nations children and children with disabilities.
“We need to prioritise non-custodial prevention, early intervention and diversion measures for children so that detention is a last resort, consistent with Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Incarceration rates of First Nations peoples are also getting worse. Less than four per cent of the Australian population are First Nations peoples, yet they make up 36 per cent of our prison population, and First Nations deaths in custody remain of grave concern.
“Australia needs to implement the outstanding recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the Australian Law Reform Commission’s Pathways to Justice report.
“Under international law, it doesn’t matter whether it’s federal, state or territory governments that are responsible for human rights violations. A national response is necessary to ensure human rights for all.
“The upcoming meeting of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General is a crucial opportunity to address these urgent issues before Australia’s appearance at the United Nations next year.”
Contact
Kristen Connell
P. 0400 054 227
E. kristen.connell@lawcouncil.au
Last Updated on 19/08/2025