China has launched a fierce attack on Australia's human rights record at the United Nations, accusing the government of spreading misinformation and failing to prosecute troops for war crimes in Afghanistan. The criticism came during the UN Human Rights Council's regular review of Australia's performance in Geneva.
China's representative, Jiang Duan, highlighted alleged war crimes by Australian soldiers, stating that troops had indiscriminately killed civilians and committed war crimes but remained free. He also condemned Australia's offshore detention system, claiming asylum seekers were forcibly detained indefinitely with their basic rights violated.
Jiang further accused Australia of long-standing discrimination and hate crimes against African, Asian, and other minority groups, and of spreading misinformation for political motives. Australia accepted over 150 human rights recommendations from other nations but defended its border policies and rejected calls to phase out coal.
The Marshall Islands representative, Sam Lanwi, expressed regret over Australia's refusal to end coal-fired power, urging action on climate change. Australia also declined to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, as requested by over two dozen countries. Sally Mansfield, Australia's representative, said state governments would decide on the age, while Save The Children's Simon Henderson urged federal leadership.
