Opting out of Global Compact on Migration is missed opportunity to recommit to human rights obligations
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) is disappointed by the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday that Australia will not adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
The Global Compact seeks to foster international cooperation in relation to the benefits and challenges of migration. It reiterates existing international human rights obligations, while preserving a country’s right to make and apply its own laws.
“Although the Global Compact is not legally binding, it is an important restatement of the human rights obligations Australia has already willingly accepted through its ratification of international human rights treaties,” said ALHR President, Kerry Weste.
“It is disappointing the Federal Government has chosen not to join the majority of the international community in its commitment to work towards a safe, orderly and regular global migration framework. Even more disappointing is the Prime Minister’s statement on the Global Compact, which appears to conflate this commitment with an unfounded risk to Australia’s interests.”
“ALHR calls upon the Federal Government to reconsider its position before the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact, which will be held in Morocco on 10 and 11 December 2018.”
Contact: Matt Mitchell, ALHR media manager 0431 980 365