Australia's human rights record is going under the United Nations' microscope, with the nation's treatment of Indigenous communities, asylum seekers and violence against women topping the list of global concerns.
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The UN's human rights council is undertaking a review of Australia's record, where other nations can ask questions and make recommendations for improvement.
The review occurs every four to five years, with Australia last under the spotlight in late 2015.
A handful of nations have submitted questions for Australia, including Sweden, the UK, Slovenia and Iran, who have keen questions over the treatment and imprisonment rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Australia's progress on developing an Indigenous "voice" is also set to be focused on, as well as how equality is being achieved on economic and health measures against the non-Indigenous population.
There are questions on Australia's age of criminal responsibility, after the nation's attorneys-general delayed a decision on increasing it from the 10 to 14.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services says it should be raised to at least 14.
The group's co-chair Priscilla Atkins says the review is an important opportunity for the government to commit to respecting Indigenous human rights.
"Our people consistently suffer injustices from discriminatory policies, systemic racism, over-policing, human rights abuses and deaths in custody in the justice system," she said.
Australia's treatment of migrants and asylum seekers is also being questioned.
Amnesty International Australia's submission to the review calls on the government to end offshore processing, detention for refugees and asylum seekers, and mandatory detention.
The organisation also wants the government to ensure freedom of expression, press freedom, and to protect the rights of whistleblowers and peaceful assembly.
Australia's national report, submitted to the UN in December, outlines funding and commitments to improving various issues including domestic violence, counter terrorism and human trafficking.
The statement says the government remains committed to an Indigenous voice as well as recognising first nation's people in the Constitution following a referendum.
The government submission also acknowledges disproportionate rates of Indigenous suicide, incarceration, deaths in custody and out of home care for children.
In relation to asylum seekers, the submission says regional processing and individuals under those arrangements are the responsibility of Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Australian Associated Press
