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EU advances justice and accountability at the Human Rights Council

After five weeks of negotiations, debates and votes in Geneva, the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC63) has come to a close. Throughout the session, the European Union worked with partners from all regions to defend universal human rights, support victims and survivors, and reinforce international scrutiny and accountability in situations of concern.

EU at the HRC
© EU Geneva

 

A central part of the EU’s engagement at HRC63 was the successful adoption of three country resolutions on Afghanistan, Burundi and Russia, each renewing a UN mandate that remains essential for monitoring violations and keeping international attention on deteriorating human rights situations.

The EU successfully led the negotiations and consequent adoption of the resolution on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was renewed by the resolution for another year, receiving the highest number of votes by the Council since the mandate’s establishment in 2022. This shows the growing international community’s concern for the situation in Russia, as the mandate remains essential for independent monitoring and reporting on human rights violations in the country.

“The mandate of the Special Rapporteur is a lifeline for Russian civil society. Those brave enough to speak out or protest peacefully, who defend the victims of repression in courts or document systematic use of torture, need to know that the international community sees what is happening and is not blind to their plight” - EU Statement at HRC63

The Special Rapporteur’s findings have documented a deeply repressive environment in which opposition leaders and human rights defenders have been killed or poisoned, national security legislation is used as a tool of repression, and courts and international mechanisms are misused for political purposes. The EU remains convinced that no country is above international scrutiny.

The Human Rights Council furthermore unanimously adopted the EU-led resolution on the human rights situation in Afghanistan and the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. Five years after the Taliban seized power by force, the human rights situation remains catastrophic, in particular for women and girls, who continue to be systematically deprived of their rights and freedoms.

“The Taliban violate the human rights of all Afghans. They try to silence the women and girls of Afghanistan. They deny them their equal humanity. We cannot accept that. The Human Rights Council has a duty to act in solidarity for human rights, justice and accountability.”  - EU Statement at HRC63

Adopted with wide cross-regional support, the resolution ensures continued attention to the situation on the ground. It also builds on last year’s EU-led resolution creating an Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan. A decision providing substantial EU funding for this mechanism was recently signed, underlining the EU’s support for accountability and justice for victims and survivors of Taliban violations and abuses.

The Council also adopted the EU-led resolution on the human rights situation in Burundi, which includes the renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. The Special Rapporteur has continued to report on serious concerns, including extrajudicial and summary executions, arbitrary arrests and detention, enforced disappearances, torture and sexual violence, as well as restrictions affecting political actors, journalists, human rights defenders and civil society.

“This resolution is particularly relevant in the context of the forthcoming presidential elections in 2027. An open and pluralistic political environment, together with the full enjoyment of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, are essential to creating the conditions for elections that are free, inclusive, transparent and credible. Keeping scrutiny on the situation in the country at this time is of great importance to assist Burundi in having free and fair elections.” - EU Statement at HRC63

The EU remains committed to constructive engagement with Burundi and, as a leading donor, to supporting its sustainable development. At the same time, it continues to call on Burundi to strengthen cooperation with the OHCHR and to facilitate access for the Special Rapporteur.

Throughout HRC63, the EU also continued to put the spotlight on the consequences of Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. As highlighted during the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner, 2025 was the deadliest year for civilians in Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The EU reiterated its condemnation of the atrocities committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression and recalled the findings of the Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Russian authorities have committed crimes against humanity of torture, enforced disappearances, murder and forcible transfer of population, as well as war crimes, including the deliberate targeting of civilians.

The EU also condemned Russia’s recruitment of third-country citizens for its war against Ukraine, including from Central and South Asia, Africa and Latin America, through coercion, deception, inducement and other means that undermine free and informed consent. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to full accountability and justice for all international crimes and human rights violations committed in Ukraine.

The EU lent its full support for the renewal of the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan, whose mandate was renewed by one year and gathered record high support. The FFM’s findings point to serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law as well as conduct displaying hallmarks of genocide in the siege of El Fasher. The FFM’s continued work to document and monitor offers hope to the victims of violations in Sudan that perpetrators will be brought to justice and that the scourge of impunity in Sudan will end.

The EU was also actively involved in negotiating joint statements and resolutions and spoke at interactive dialogues, including those concerning the human rights situations in Belarus, Ethiopia, Sudan and Venezuela. It also engaged on thematic issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights, racism, the right to development, youth, the right to water and sanitation, on  hazardous substances and wastes, as well as nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands.  

In addition to its work in the Council, the EU Delegation hosted a number of side events during the session. These included “Serving with Pride: LGBTQI+ Rights and Realities in Armed Forces and Conflict” and “Promoting Human Rights at the Regional Level” with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), with a special focus on the role of regional human rights mechanisms. .  In the margins of the session the EU also hosted the launch of the International Human Rights Music Festival, in the presence of rock legend Bob Geldof.

Reflecting the Team Europe approach, individual EU Member States contribute through resolutions and joint initiatives, acting in their national capacities and in cooperation with other partners, on topics such as:

  • Responding to the human rights and humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing armed conflict in the Sudan
  • Enforced or involuntary disappearances
  • Implications of AI on the promotion and protection of human rights
  • The role of good governance in the protection and promotion of human rights
  • Strengthening international cooperation for promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls in the context of digital technologies
  • The rights of peasants
  • Safe drinking water and sanitation
  • Enhancing equal access of children to adequate and nutritious food
  • Youth and human rights
  • The impact of anti-personnel mines on the full enjoyment of human rights
  • Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas

We thank all our partners for their support and cooperation throughout the session. The European Union reaffirms its resolute commitment to the international human rights architecture, with the United Nations and its mechanisms at the core. We remain committed to the Human Rights Council as the primary multilateral body for the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

“Support to Human Rights Defenders and civil society has been a long-standing priority of the EU, as they play a vital role in informing and shaping UN decisions, enhancing accountability, and promoting inclusive dialogue, all of which are essential for the UN’s effectiveness. The EU strongly condemns any form of reprisals against HRDs and civil society organizations, including those who cooperate with the UN in any form.” EU statement at HRC63