Statement 114 - Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General

Geneva, Switzerland

Address: Chemin des Fins 2, Case Postale 102, 1211 Geneva 19 - Telephone: 022 799 9100 - Fax: 022 799 9178

Human Rights Council – 14th Regular Session

Independent expert on Cultural Rights and the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants

Australia thanks the Independent Expert on Cultural Rights and the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants for their reports and presentations today.

Australia welcomes the first report of the Independent Expert on Cultural Rights. Australia specifically welcomes the links that are drawn in this report between cultural rights and cultural diversity.

The interaction between the protection of the diversity of cultural expressions and the free market, as discussed in the report, is an issue that is relevant to Australia, where both are being actively pursued. Can the Independent Expert provide any further insights as to how States may achieve a balance in this respect?

Australia is committed to protecting and promoting the culture of Australia’s Indigenous population. Of particular cultural significance is the maintenance of approximately 145 Indigenous languages spoken in Australia. In 2009, Australia launched a National Indigenous Languages Policy to help address the problem of language loss in Indigenous communities.

Australia also notes with interest the report’s discussion of the relationship between individual and collective cultural rights and the mutual supportiveness of cultural rights and cultural diversity. Australia supports the protection of Indigenous traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, for which these issues are an integral consideration. We would welcome further comments from the Independent Expert regarding intellectual property rights in this broader cultural rights context.

Australia would also like to thank the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants for his informative report on the rights to health and adequate housing.

Australia is very concerned about the needs of people who have experienced torture and trauma and have a level of psychological distress which makes them vulnerable to developing mental health problems. Australia has developed a Program of Assistance for Survivors of Torture and Trauma which provides medium to long term counselling, servicing approximately 3000 clients a year. Australia would be interested to hear from the Special Rapporteur about similar programs implemented by other States.

Finally, Australia notes the Special Rapporteur’s comments on housing affordability and accessibility. Australia has taken significant action to increase the supply of affordable housing through the Social Housing Initiative and the National Rental Affordability Scheme. Australia’s Access and Equity strategy supports government agencies to deliver services that respond to the needs of all Australians, including through free interpreting services to real estate agents in areas of high migrant and humanitarian settlement, assistance to migrants in sourcing affordable private accommodation and educating real estate agents on the specific needs of new migrants. Can the Special Rapporteur comment on ways to further provide for the needs of migrants through the private rental market?

Thank you again to Ms Shahed and Mr Bustamante for their important reports.