Australian Guidelines on human rights defenders

Front Line Petition to Australian Foreign Minister, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, to introduce Australian Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

I urge you and the Australian Government to commit to providing additional practical support, including financial support, for the protection of human rights defenders at risk by adopting guidelines on the protection of human rights defenders as a stated priority in Australian foreign policy.

The Australian Government has played an important international role in the promotion and protection of human rights and has frequently taken action on behalf of human rights defenders at risk. This support recognises the legitimate role of human rights defenders as key agents of social change.

The adoption of a set of formal guidelines would help to codify the various initiatives already taken by the Australian Government, would give them increased status and credibility and facilitate their more effective implementation.

The adoption of such guidelines would in addition confer increased legitimacy on, and recognise the importance of the work being done by human rights defenders.

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