World politics feels like it is in disarray. Rules intended to regulate the behavior of all countries and institutions seem not to matter. International human rights norms now appear decidedly unfashionable, even in Australia, a country that should be one of the staunchest defenders of global human rights, where I have just spent two weeks meeting with government officials and civil society.
Transactional power politics increasingly disregard internationally agreed rules, enabling powerful governments, from China and Russia to the United States and their allies, to accelerate violations of human rights with few consequences.
But the longing for human rights is not going away. Respecting them remains critical for so many people around the world, especially those facing the most severe repression. In recent years, protesters throughout Asia – often led by young people – have fought for rights and equality in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India, even at the cost of their lives.
Democracies that remain committed to human rights and a rules-based world order should recognize that. Instead of cowering to this geopolitical moment, they should seize the uncertainty by doubling down and recognizing that rights are central to their long-term national interests. Canberra should be first in line.
