CANBERRA — Australia began its three-year term on the U.N. Human Rights Council in January 2018 — the first country from the Pacific region to serve as a non-permanent member.
Australia’s tenure on the panel has come at a time when geopolitics and protectionism are seeing dramatic upheavals in the HRC — including the withdrawal of the U.S. in June last year citing bias against Israel. But how has Australia performed in the face of these challenges?
The assessment of Australia’s role and its impact vary from “strong” to “tepid” for its ability to magnify its middle-power status on a broader stage.