EU General Comment - HRC58 - L. 17/ Rev.1 - Human rights, democracy and the rule of law
UN Human Rights Council
58th Session – Item 3
Resolution L.17/Rev.1 – General Comment
L. 17/ Rev.1 - Human rights, democracy and the rule of law
EU General Comment
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU Member States that are members of the Human Rights Council. This statement has been agreed by the EU as a whole.
We welcome the core group’s initiative to present Resolution L.17/Rev 1, setting the topic of the sixth session of the Forum on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, to be held in 2026.
As democratic values are slowly eroding under the effects of disinformation, fake news, restriction of civic space and freedom of expression, developing critical thinking and empowering active and engaged citizens is essential for the strengthening of our societies.
We therefore believe that the theme proposed for the Forum of 2026, focusing on Education for civic participation, is of growing significance today, in light of existing and emerging challenges worldwide, that illustrate the need of robust democratic safeguards and citizen engagement to counteract these trends.
Discussions on this topic are especially pertinent today, and it is essential that the meaningful platform represented by the Forum on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law is used for this dialogue.
The EU is pleased to support this resolution and hopes for its consensual adoption.
Thank you.