WUNRN
Australia
- Joint Media Release
Attorney-General
The Hon Robert McClelland MP
Minister for
Housing
Minister for the Status of Women
The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
24 November
2008
AUSTRALIA
BECOMES PARTY TO CEDAW OPTIONAL PROTOCOL
Australia
has today formally moved to become a party to the Optional Protocol to the
United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW), which was opposed by the former Government.
Australia
has been a party to CEDAW since 1983. The previous Government refused to sign
the Optional Protocol when it was adopted in 2000, despite countries such as
the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and a number of our Asia-Pacific
neighbours doing so. Even today, the Coalition, under Malcolm Turnbull, still
opposes this important international human rights instrument.
The
announcement comes on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women.
Attorney-General
Robert McClelland and Minister for the Status of Women Tanya Plibersek said
that by becoming a party to the Optional Protocol, the Government is making a
powerful statement that discrimination against women in any form is
unacceptable.
“The Rudd
Government is committed to overcoming the stereotypes and prejudices that can
stifle women’s rights and weaken equality,” Mr McClelland said.
“Becoming
party to the Optional Protocol demonstrates our commitment to the promotion and
protection of the rights of women, both at home and abroad.”
Under the
Optional Protocol, women in Australia will be able to make a complaint to the
UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women about alleged
violation of Australia’s obligations under CEDAW. This can only occur after
domestic legal options have been exhausted. The protocol also permits a UN
investigation process.
“Acceding to
the Optional Protocol will send a strong message that Australia is serious
about promoting gender equality and that we are prepared to be judged by
international human rights standards,” said Minister Plibersek.
“It will
also add credibility to our offers of support to women across our region.”
Australia’s
instrument of accession to the Optional Protocol will be lodged shortly in New
York, meaning it will enter into force for Australia before International
Women’s Day on 8 March 2009.
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