Australian Responses to Human Rights Abuses are Selective and Hypocritical

Isabella Gockel | Australian Foreign Policy Fellow

Senator Penny Wong addressing the Adelaide 'Support Ukraine Rally', Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, 27 February 2022. Image sourced from Jenny Scott via Flickr.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) claims that “For over 75 years, Australia has been a strong advocate for the promotion and protection of human rights...” It also declares with bravado that “human rights apply equally to all people, no matter who you happen to be or where you happen to be born.”

On paper, Australia endeavours to condemn human rights abuses globally. In reality however, Australia is exceptionally selective and hypocritical with its responses to overseas abuses. The clearest examples of this hypocrisy lie with Australia’s reactions to Russian aggression in Ukraine compared with Israeli aggression in Gaza, and its contrary reactions to human rights abuses occurring within Iran and China.

Russia in Ukraine v. Israel in Gaza

On 24 February 2022 when Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Australia was quick to comprehensively condemn the aggressor. Its then Foreign Minister released a statement the same day condemning Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and stating that financial sanctions would soon be placed on Russian individuals and entities. At the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) emergency session on 2 March 2022, Australia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations also delivered Australia’s criticism of Russia to the international stage, joining 140 other states in condemning Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.” Evidently, Australia swiftly condemned Russia’s human rights abuses and violations of international law. The same cannot be said for its response to Israel’s conduct in Gaza.

Since Israel began its invasion of Gaza in October 2023, at least 40,000 Palestinians have been killed. A Lancet study estimates that up to 186,000 people have died as a result of Israel’s invasion, which includes indirect deaths due to the destruction of food distribution systems, health facilities, and other public infrastructure. Australia has called for international law to be respected by Israeli combatants and Hamas operatives and expressed concern over the escalation of Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe. Yet it has not condemned the state committing mass atrocities against Palestinians: Israel. Most recently Australia refused to support a Palestinian-drafted UNGA resolution that demanded Israel end its “unlawful presence” in Gaza and the West Bank within 12 months. This decision was out of step with the international community; 124 states voted in favour, 43 states abstained, and only 14 states voted against the resolution.

This contrast between Australia’s responses highlights its starkly selective condemnation of human rights abuses overseas, which is rooted in national interests. Russian aggression is easy to condemn, considering the insubstantial trade ties and historic antagonism between the two countries. Israeli aggression, however, is trickier for Australia to criticise. After all, Israel is a “steadfast friend” of Australia’s as well as a fellow democracy, and democracies typically veer away from criticising the conduct of one another on the international stage. Australia’s most important ally, the U.S., is also closely allied with Israel. This is noteworthy as Australia’s foreign policy often aligns itself with that of the U.S.’ in order to maintain strong bilateral relations with the great power.

Iran v. China

Australia has unequivocally condemned Iran for its systemic human rights abuses in recent years. In September 2022, when Jina Mahsa Amini died in police custody in Iran, widespread protests erupted across the country. Iranian authorities violently cracked down on these demonstrations and unlawfully killed hundreds whilst arbitrarily arresting tens of thousands of protestors. The Australian Government was quick to condemn the “deadly and disproportionate use of force against protesters in Iran,” and stated that Australia frequently raises Iran’s treatment of women with officials in Iran, Canberra, and multilateral settings. Soon after, Australia also imposed sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities involved in these horrific abuses. Although Australia consistently criticises Iran for its abuses, the government struggles to do the same to our largest trading partner, China.

Since 2017, Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslim ethnic minorities in China’s Xinjiang province have been subjected to crimes against humanity at the hands of the state. The Australian Government claims that it raises the treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang with Chinese officials alongside other human rights issues - a strategy resembling the government’s response to Iran’s human rights abuses. However, a comparison of media releases reveals that Australia is habitually hypocritical with its handling of human rights violations. Australia condemns China for its abuses, but falls short on implementing sanctions or similar penalties. Similar to the case of Israel, it goes against Australia’s national interest to criticise China’s human rights record and apply sanctions of any kind. After all, good relations with China result in better economic prospects for Australia. Bitter relations in the past have also caused one-sided trade wars against Australian exports, and applying sanctions, however targeted, would likely instigate further feuds.

Conclusion

Although promoting human rights and condemning their abuse is a fundamental feature of Australian diplomacy, it’s evident that Australia is selective and hypocritical when it comes to condemning overseas violations. The reasons for this inconsistency vary among countries, as demonstrated by an examination of responses to Israel and China. Ultimately, however, these reasons do nothing to shift international observers’ conclusions about Australian diplomacy.

Australia’s patchy response record to states’ human rights abuses has given our country a reputation for being yet another hypocritical Western nation in the global human rights space. This reputation will persist as long as our responses to human rights violations prioritise the pursuit of the national interest over human lives.

Isabella Gockel is the Australian Foreign Policy Fellow for Young Australians in International Affairs. She is a final-year Bachelor of Political Science and Bachelor of International Relations student at the Australian National University, majoring in Human Rights and minoring in French Language and Culture. Isabella is immensely passionate about the intersection of Australian politics, Australian foreign policy, and human rights.