This week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Australia to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East. The meeting presented an opportunity for the two middle-power nations to assert leadership in upholding human rights protections. While the visit was framed by welcoming messages emphasizing the close partnership and shared values between Australia and Canada, the leaders’ joint statement notably made no reference to human rights or international law, longstanding principles both countries have historically supported.
In a joint press conference, Albanese highlighted their commitment to peace, security, and prosperity, but the statement did not address ongoing violations of international humanitarian law by parties involved in the conflict. Carney had previously emphasized at Davos that middle powers have the capacity to build a new order grounded in values such as human rights, sustainable development, and sovereignty, and that they should apply these standards consistently to both allies and rivals.
Earlier, at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, Albanese stressed the importance of active engagement by smaller nations and middle powers, warning that passive acceptance of war risks eroding trust and leadership credibility. In this context, both leaders have acknowledged that defending international human rights and humanitarian law is a responsibility that cannot be postponed or selectively applied.
Observers argue that Australia and Canada should use their diplomatic influence to condemn violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict, including the United States, Israel, and Iran. Moreover, they should mobilize other middle-power countries and smaller nations, such as Japan, India, and Indonesia, to collectively uphold these standards and demonstrate consistent leadership during times of crisis.
