Peacebuilding and conflict prevention experts are urging Australia to take a proactive stance on reinforcing the international human rights framework at the upcoming United Nations ‘Summit of the Future’. Prepared by the Initiative for Peacebuilding, a briefing paper titled ‘Impunity, Accountability and Respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law’, authored by Professor Erika Feller AO, emphasizes the need for Australia to prioritize accountability for crimes and atrocities, as well as grave violations of International Humanitarian Law, in its contributions to the UN negotiations.
Professor Feller, a Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne and former Assistant High Commissioner for Protection with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, underscores the importance of reviewing Australia’s national-level efforts to promote respect for International Humanitarian Law and human rights globally. She advocates for increased funding for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and emphasizes the mutual benefit of enhancing international cooperation on conflict de-escalation and addressing gross violations of justice.
The Summit of the Future, scheduled for September 22–23, 2024, in New York, represents a pivotal opportunity for world leaders to collectively address pressing global challenges. Based on the 2021 report ‘Our Common Agenda’ by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Summit aims to forge a new international consensus on delivering a better present and safeguarding the future.
As part of its efforts to stimulate discussions on key Summit agenda items, the Initiative for Peacebuilding has initiated a series of papers focusing on Australia’s role and responsibilities in improving global outcomes. Founded within the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Arts, the Initiative for Peacebuilding aims to advance peacebuilding and conflict prevention in the Indo-Pacific region through multidisciplinary research, engagement, and education.