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Climate change, the rights of asylum seekers and indigenous issues were amongst human rights concerns raised during a 2-day workshop organised by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Commission of Churches on International Affairs and the National Council of Churches of Australia in Brisbane on 24-25 February. The workshop, which included representatives from the Uniting Church, Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, The Salvation Army, Sisters of Saint Joseph, Queensland Churches Together and the Anglican Board of Mission, took place in the context of the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of human rights in Australia by the United Nations Human Rights Council later this year.
The WCC Commission of Churches on International Affairs seeks to ensure that member churches and their partners around the world are aware of the opportunity to raise their voices to the UN whenever such opportunities arise, and regularly carries out trainings to facilitate the participation of churches.
“Supporting the engagement of the WCC and its members in the processes of the UN is a critical aspect of our work,” said commissioner for Australia Ann Skamp. “We are part of a mighty coalition across the world as churches are everywhere. We have a value and authority from our access to people from across society and in more than half the world’s countries, and it is our responsibility to ensure that their voices are heard at the international level.”
Participants learnt about the UN processes through which they can raise their concerns about human rights in Australia, and heard from National Council of Churches of Australia general secretary Liz Stone about her work advocating with politicians at the national level. “Seeing the implementation of recommendations is the goal of our work. We offer to work with the government to turn their national and international obligations into realities on the ground for the people of Australia.”
Describing his long career working alongside the UN system in different capacities, Chris Sidoti, Australian international human rights expert, pointed to the reliance of the UN mechanisms on national civil society groups - including churches - to provide on-the-ground perspectives and information about human rights in their country. In return, civil society has the opportunity to continue their domestic advocacy through the international forums.
Participants in the workshop agreed on the content of an initial draft of a report which will now be finalised and submitted to the UN. The issues raised will inform the Member and Observer States of the Human Rights Council when the review of Australia takes place in November.
Learn more about the WCC’s Commission of Churches on International Affairs
