Submission to the Inquiry into certain aspects of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019-20 – child and forced marriage

Jun 1, 2021

Human Rights Sub-committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Parliament undertook an Inquiry into certain aspects of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019-20 – child and forced marriage.

Anti-Slavery Australia submission focused primarily on further steps that Australia could take to eliminate child and forced marriage by cooperating with non-government organisations and other appropriate means. Our recommendations align with Australia’s international obligations and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

  1. DFAT work with Anti-Slavery Australia and other relevant NGOs to develop and implement a repatriation protocol that provides prompt and streamlined assistance to vulnerable Australians overseas that are in, or at risk of, forced marriage.
  2. Creation of an Australian Government grant program, administered by DFAT, dedicated to providing financial assistance for repatriation to vulnerable Australians overseas that are in, or at risk of, forced marriage and are seeking to return to Australia.

Anti-Slavery Australia’s Submission to the Inquiry into certain aspects of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2019-20 – child and forced marriage.