This report examines the human rights events of the previous year around the globe.

2024 was a year of elections, resistance, and conflict, testing the integrity of democratic institutions and the principles of international human rights and humanitarian law. 

Whether in response to heightened repression in Russia, India, and Venezuela, or catastrophic armed conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, governments around the world are being called upon to demonstrate their commitment to human rights, democracy, and humanitarian action. The report finds that many have failed the test. But even outspoken and action-oriented governments have invoked human rights standards weakly or inconsistently, feeding global perceptions that human rights lack legitimacy. 

Australia report
Australia is a vibrant democracy that mostly protects the civil and political rights of its citizens. However, the country’s rights record is marred by some key human rights concerns. This includes its treatment of children in the criminal justice system and asylum seekers. Other issues covered in the report are the rights of First Nations people, women, older people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, as well as the right to protest. 

Australia remains the only Western democracy without a national human rights act or charter.