EU General Comment - HRC59 - Civil Society Space
UN Human Rights Council
59th session – Item 3
L.13 – General Comment
Civil Society Space
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.
The EU warmly thanks the delegations of Chile, Ireland, Japan, Sierra Leone and Tunisia for presenting this important initiative on civil society space.
Civil society plays an essential role in protecting and promoting human rights, pursuing accountability for human rights violations and abuses, and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals at the local, national, regional and international levels. Unjustified restrictions to their ability to operate freely jeopardize the achievement of these objectives and are a threat to democracy and the rule of law.
The EU is a staunch supporter of a vibrant, independent and diverse civil society and, in a global context of shrinking civil society space, acknowledges the timeliness of this resolution. It is important for this Council to send a united message in support of civil society and its work.
Mr President,
We welcome the core group’s constructive and transparent approach throughout the negotiations to reflect the concerns and perspectives raised by different Member States and civil society, including through six open informal consultations and numerous bilateral discussions. These discussions have contributed to a balanced text that emphasises the essential role of civil society, underscores some of the key challenges they face, and calls on States to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for their work.
The EU therefore supports resolution L.13 and joins consensus.
Thank you.