EU General Comment - HRC58 - Resolution L.29 - Mandate of Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
UN Human Rights Council
58th Session
Resolution L.29 – General Comment
Mandate of Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
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 general comment has been agreed by the EU as a whole.
We would like to express our gratitude to Mexico for its continued leadership and engagement on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, as well as for its transparency throughout the negotiation process of L.29.
As this mandate marks its 20th anniversary, the need for comprehensive monitoring of States' compliance with their human rights obligations in the development and implementation of counterterrorism policies and regulations, remains as pressing as ever. The Special Rapporteur continues to be the only entity within the UN system tasked with reporting on counterterrorism from a human rights perspective, and the ongoing engagement of this mandate holder in international discussions on this issue is therefore essential.
We regret that some delegations could not support the penholder’s suggested revision of the text to place this mandate on equal footing with newer Special Procedures mandates in terms of resources. The EU maintains its principled position in support of the independence of Special Procedures as mandated by this council and applauds Mexico for its efforts to ensure that this mandate enjoys the same level of resources as its counterparts.
The EU has consistently supported the mandate of the Special rapporteur since its creation in 2005. We support the extension of this mandate and call on other States to do the same.
I thank you.