Seventy-three UN member states raised concerns about and recommended changes to Australian Government policies related to refugees, people seeking asylum, stateless people, immigration detention, racial discrimination and the protection of migrant workers when Australia’s human rights record came up for its fourth five-yearly Universal Period Review (UPR) in January 2026.
Of the 120 UN member states participating in Australia’s UPR hearing before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 26 January 2026, 23 states made recommendations or comments about Australia’s offshore processing and immigration detention policies and two states asked questions in advance. Brazil, China, Finland, Germany, Serbia, Switzerland and Türkiye unequivocally called for an end to Australia’s offshore processing of asylum claims. Another six states recommended that Australian governments comply fully with UN mechanisms related to torture, particularly the Optional Protection to the UN Convention Against Torture.
Fourteen states put forward recommendations regarding Australia’s treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum, with Norway calling for asylum claims to be determined in line with the Refugee Convention, Sweden and Uruguay emphasising the importance of the principle of non-refoulement, Sierra Leone recommending the end of temporary protection and improved pathways to permanent protection and family reunion, and Türkiye calling for permanent residency pathways for all asylum seekers and refugees, including those affected by the fast-track regime. North Macedonia called for Australia to bring its legislation on statelessness in line with international standards.
Thirty-one states from Asia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe raised questions or made recommendations regarding racial discrimination and hate speech, while Slovenia called for a serious examination on antisemitism through the newly established Royal Commission.
Another 17 states in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe advocated for improved protections for migrant workers, with most calling Australia to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Each state participating in the UPR hearing was given just a minute to speak, in which they could comment on Australia’s progress on human rights over the past five years, raise current concerns and make recommendations on any aspect of human rights.
In the months leading up to the review, the Australian Government reported on its human rights record, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights produced a summary of concerns raised by UN bodies, and civil society organisations and the Australian Human Rights Commission were invited to lodge submissions. The Refugee Council of Australia contributed to a joint NGO submission coordinated by Human Rights Law Centre, Indigenous People’s Organisation Australia, Kingsford Legal Centre and Community Legal Centres Australia.
After the review, an outcome report will be prepared by the UN Human Rights Council which provides a summary of the discussions, including the questions, comments and recommendations made by states. Australia will have the opportunity to make preliminary comments on the recommendations, choosing to either accept or note them.
RCOA has compiled a report which includes recommendations from UN member states, reflections on Australia’s policies from UN bodies, the response from the Department of Home Affairs and links to other documents related to the review of Australia’s human rights record.
