Austria in the U.N. Human Rights Council

Austria is member in the Human Rights Council for the period 2019-2021. Pursuant to the UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/251 regarding the creation of the UN Human Rights Council, the Austrian Government presented its pledges and commitments in the context of its candidacy for the Human Rights Council (DE, EN, FR, ES, CN, RU, AR) on 22 August 2018.

The promotion and protection of human rights is of utmost importance to Austria. The credibility of our work for better human rights protection worldwide rests on our commitment to the comprehensive realisation of human rights within Austria. We pursue a constructive approach with third countries, based on partnership which puts dialogue with all stakeholders at the centre, in order to sustainably improve human rights protection worldwide. Finally, Austrian activities are firmly grounded in our conviction that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent.

Austria has for many years enjoyed the respect of the United Nations and its Member States for its relentless efforts towards better human rights protection around the world. Moreover, Austria has strongly supported the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since its creation in 1994, the same as the UN Treaty Bodies and the UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights issues and country situations (“Special Procedures”). The current membership of Austria in the UN Human Rights Council provides ample opportunity to further implement and strengthen our active human rights policy. Austria’s first membership of the Human Rights Council lasted from 2011 to 2014.

Austrian activities on the following priority human rights issues continue to be implemented during our membership in the UN Human Rights Council:

  • Women’s rights

  • Children’s rights

  • Rights of persons with disabilities

  • Strengthening the rule of law

  • Human rights education

  • Combatting trafficking in human beings

  • Combatting racism and discrimination

  • Global abolition of the death penalty

  • Women’s rights

  • Strengthening the rule of law

  • Human rights education

  • Combatting human trafficking

Moreover, special attention and resources are devoted to the following, additional priority issues:

  • Protection of minorities

  • Safety of journalists and freedom of speech

  • Human rights of internally displaced persons

  • Human rights in the administration of justice

The creation of peaceful and inclusive societies is also a focus of Austrian Development Cooperation, who supports its partners in their sustainable social, economic, democratic development and in strengthening the rule of law. The Austrian Development Cooperation is committed to implement the human rights-based approach as a guiding principle for the implementation of Agenda 2030 in international programs and projects as well as in political dialogue, focusing on humanitarian aid, the fight against poverty, cooperation in the area of migration, gender equality and the rights of the child and of persons with disabilities.

Statements and speeches made by Austria at the UN Human Rights Council are available on the website of the Permanent Mission of Austria in Geneva.