(a) The release of the National Human Rights Action Plan, in December 2012; (b) The adoption of a National Action Plan to reduce Violence against and Their Children 2010-2022; (c) The creation of the position of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor in 2010, to, inter alia, review counter-terrorism and national security legislation taking into account international human rights obligations; (d) The establishment of a public online database of recommendations from United Nations human rights mechanisms. 7. The Committee notes with appreciation the existence of a vibrant civil society that significantly contributes to the monitoring of torture and ill-treatment, thereby facilitating the effective implementation of the Convention in the State party. C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations National Human Rights Institution 8. The Committee welcomes the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission. However, it notes that the Commission does not yet have statutory powers to monitor the implementation of the State party’s obligations under the Convention (art. 2). The party should consider strengthening the Commission by providing it statutory powers to monitor the implementation of the State party’s obligations under the Convention. Violence against women 9. welcoming the legislative and other measures adopted by the State party to prevent and combat violence against women, the Committee notes with concern reports on the persistence of violence against women, which disproportionately affects indigenous women and women with disabilities. The Committee is also concerned at information received that over 50 percent of the cases of violence against women are not reported (arts. 2, 12, 13, 14 and 16). In light of its General Comment No. 2 (CAT/C/GC/2), the Committee recommends that the State party redouble its efforts to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women throughout its territory by inter alia: (a) Taking measures to facilitate the lodging of complaints by victims and to effectively address the barriers that may prevent women from reporting acts of violence against them;
(a) The release of the National Human Rights Action Plan, in December 2012; (b) The adoption of a National Action Plan to reduce Violence against and Their Children 2010-2022; (c) The creation of the position of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor in 2010, to, inter alia, review counter-terrorism and national security legislation taking into account international human rights obligations; (d) The establishment of a public online database of recommendations from United Nations human rights mechanisms. 7. The Committee notes with appreciation the existence of a vibrant civil society that significantly contributes to the monitoring of torture and ill-treatment, thereby facilitating the effective implementation of the Convention in the State party. C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations National Human Rights Institution 8. The Committee welcomes the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission. However, it notes that the Commission does not yet have statutory powers to monitor the implementation of the State party’s obligations under the Convention (art. 2). The party should consider strengthening the Commission by providing it statutory powers to monitor the implementation of the State party’s obligations under the Convention. Violence against women 9. welcoming the legislative and other measures adopted by the State party to prevent and combat violence against women, the Committee notes with concern reports on the persistence of violence against women, which disproportionately affects indigenous women and women with disabilities. The Committee is also concerned at information received that over 50 percent of the cases of violence against women are not reported (arts. 2, 12, 13, 14 and 16). In light of its General Comment No. 2 (CAT/C/GC/2), the Committee recommends that the State party redouble its efforts to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women throughout its territory by inter alia: (a) Taking measures to facilitate the lodging of complaints by victims and to effectively address the barriers that may prevent women from reporting acts of violence against them;
WWDA_CAT2014_CashelleDunn_Final.docx