EU Explanation of Vote - HRC59 - Human rights and international solidarity
UN Human Rights Council
59th Session – Item 3
Resolution L.9 – EoV
Human rights and international solidarity
EU Explanation of Vote
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the EU Member States that are members of the Human Rights Council. This explanation of vote has been agreed by the EU as a whole.
The EU thanks Cuba for the transparency of the negotiation process.
International solidarity is at the heart of the EU's external action. The European Union and its Member States have long been at the forefront of supporting global efforts to promote sustainable development, together representing 42% of all official development assistance (ODA) today – thus maintaining a stable indicator in comparison to the year before. The EU has a development cooperation presence in all regions and across all sectors, and has a goal to collectively provide at least 0.7% of Gross National Income as ODA by 2030 in order to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The EU is in favour of enhancing the international development cooperation architecture, building on the strengths and expertise of the relevant entities and ensuring that it is fit for purpose to accelerate financing for sustainable development. We underline the importance of enabling environments conducive to financing for sustainable development and the importance of leadership and commitment from national stakeholders and authorities, who have the primary responsibility for their countries’ development.
Going back to the resolution in question, we appreciate the penholder’s openness to and inclusion of the EU’s proposal to convene part of the Independent Expert’s consultations in a hybrid format, which we consider an important response to the financial situation of this Council.
Nevertheless, the EU's position on this draft resolution remains the same as in previous years. We reiterate that the concept of “a right to international solidarity” has no basis in international law, and that the issues addressed in this draft are outside the mandate of the Human Rights Council.
For this reason, the EU cannot support Resolution L.9 that aims to make international solidarity a foundational principle of international law and international human rights law.
Thank you.