UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

59^th session

Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s annual report

17 June 2025

EU Statement

Mister President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

We thank the High Commissioner for his annual report. In these testing times for human rights, your role and the work of your office are more important than ever. The EU reaffirms its steadfast support for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to operate independently and with sufficient resources. We also support your role in coordinating the human rights cluster of the UN80 process. As we mark the end of WWII and the 80th anniversary of the UN this year, we must show ever more commitment to upholding and advancing human rights and ensuring the integrity and functionality of the institutions, mandates and mechanisms created for this purpose.

We refer to the EU statements during the respective interactive dialogues on the situations in Afghanistan, DRC, Eritrea, Belarus, Myanmar, Venezuela, Burundi, Colombia, CAR as well as the Occupied Palestinian Territory to be delivered in the upcoming dialogue, where we will, inter alia, raise the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

We reiterate our resolute condemnation of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine violating core rules of international law. We demand that Russia ceases its aggression and withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately, completely and unconditionally, and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders. The EU continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocities committed in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s war of aggression, such as indiscriminate and targeted attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, extrajudicial executions, including summary executions of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, the systematic and widespread use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, including sexual- and gender-based violence, and unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children and other civilians. We call on Russia to end the unlawful practice of child deportation and forcible transfer, to stop the illegal adoptions of Ukrainian children and to ensure their immediate and safe return to Ukraine. The EU is firmly committed to ensuring full accountability for all international crimes and human rights violations committed as well as victims’ rights to justice, reparation and guarantees of non-repetition. The EU remains steadfast in promoting the equality agenda, including through continued support for advancing gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Ukraine. We remain steadfast in our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and international law and welcome all efforts towards achieving such peace. 

We express our deep concern about the systematic state-sponsored and intensifying repression, including the use of arbitrary detention, torture and other ill treatment, and the continuous crackdown on civil society, especially on human rights defenders, lawyers, independent media, democratic political opposition, LGBTI persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons belonging to minorities, and citizens with dissenting voices in Russia. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and persons arbitrarily detained. We strongly condemn Russia for the criminal prosecution of lawyers for fulfilling their professional duties. We continue to call on Russia to abolish its repressive legislation and align it with international human rights law, to ensure a safe and enabling online and offline environment for all, and to uphold human rights of all individuals. We call on Russia to fully implement all outstanding rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. We call on Russia to end its political misuse of the judiciary and law enforcement, recalling the importance of the independence of the judiciary and fair trial rights. We continue to call upon the Russian authorities to uphold their domestic and international human rights obligations, including those arising from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Russia must ensure that all human rights violations are thoroughly, independently and impartially investigated and that perpetrators are held accountable. We call on Russia to cooperate fully with the UN and all special procedures.

The EU reiterates its concerns about the very serious human rights situation in China. The EU continues to urge China to abide by its obligations under national law, including its own Constitution, and international law, to respect, protect and fulfil human rights for all, including Uyghurs, Tibetans and other persons belonging to national or ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities across China. EU urges China to introduce a moratorium on the death penalty, adopt rigorous procedures for reviewing capital sentences and reporting death penalty cases. China must respect the principle of non-refoulement and refrain from extraterritorial activities (including coercion) that are not in line with international law. Numerous reports by UN Treaty Bodies and UN Special Rapporteurs and the assessment report of human rights concerns in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region by the OHCHR corroborate the EU’s human rights concerns. The EU continues to encourage China to cooperate effectively with the OHCHR, including towards the implementation of the recommendations of the assessment report, as well as with all international human rights mechanisms, including all relevant Special Procedures mandates. We reiterate the rights of persons belonging to religious groups to conduct their basic affairs without interference and freely choose their religious leaders.

The human rights situation in Hong Kong continues to remain of concern. The repressive use of the National Security Law and of the Sedition Law, as well as the sweeping changes in the electoral system constitute violations of democratic principles and political pluralism. The national security legislation under Article 23 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law adds to these concerns and threatens to further weaken basic freedoms. Of particular concern is its extraterritorial application, including the decision to issue arrest warrants for individuals living outside Hong Kong. The EU is following with great concern the national security trials of politicians and pro-democracy actors. The EU urges the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong authorities to restore full respect for the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and democratic principles, as key to preserve Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘One country, two systems’ principle.

We remain deeply concerned about the systematic and grave human rights violations in the DPRK persisting for more than 10 years since the conclusions of the Commission of Inquiry revealed their gravity, scale and nature. The pervasive impunity and lack of accountability in the country, is equally unacceptable as is the humanitarian situation. The DPRK must immediately end its serious human rights violations and abuses, rapidly improve the situation, address the findings of the Commission of Inquiry from 2014, implement the recommendations stemming from the 2024 UPR cycle, meaningfully engage with the UN human rights system and re-engage with the international community. EU urges the DRPK to cease any direct or indirect involvement in conflicts and wars including against Ukraine. The EU reiterates its urgent call on the DPRK to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and grant her access to the country.

Regarding Syria, the continued engagement by the High Commissioner and by the Commission of Inquiry as well as by the IIIM and IIMP with the Syrian transitional authorities is encouraging and we call for their full access. At the same time, eruptions of violence against civilians continue to highlight the need for a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned transitional justice process in cooperation with UN mechanisms and for the protection of the rights of Syrians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds without discrimination. All those responsible for grave breaches of international humanitarian, criminal and human rights law must be held accountable and brought to justice.

The EU reiterates its serious concerns about the deeply worrying situation and continued deterioration in the areas of democracy, rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the independence of the judiciary in Türkiye. The EU remains concerned about targeting of political parties, democratically elected mayors, civil society representatives, journalists, academics, human rights defenders, LGBTI persons and others, including through detentions. As an EU candidate country and member of the Council of Europe, Türkiye is expected to apply the highest democratic standards and practices. In this context, in line with Article 46 of the ECHR, we call on Türkiye to comply with the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, including regarding the release of Osman Kavala. The EU reiterates its calls on Türkiye to comply with its obligations under international law, including human rights law and to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and the rule of law - including the property rights of persons belonging to minorities and legal entities representing minorities. Human rights are non-negotiable and will continue to be an integral part of EU-Türkiye relations. 

The European Union is following very closely the situation in the Middle East and expressed its deepest concern at the dangerous escalation in a statement by the High Representative on behalf of the Union issued on 14 June 2025 that called on all sides to abide by international law, show restraint and refrain from taking further steps which could lead to serious consequences. The EU condemns human rights violations in Iran and urges the Iranian authorities to uphold human rights for all, in particular women and girls and persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities.   The EU strongly opposes the use of the death penalty under all circumstances. We are particularly concerned about the dramatic rise in executions in Iran. The EU strongly urges Iran to fully cooperate with all relevant mechanisms created by the Human Rights Council, and to implement the international treaties and agreements to which it is a party to.

We remain seriously concerned about the increasing restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms in several countries across the MENA region, for instance in Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. We notably observe limitations on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. The operating space for civil society organisations, human rights defenders, humanitarian and development actors, as well as journalists, is shrinking, while arbitrary detention, political imprisonment and prolonged pre-trial detention are largely used. The continued use of the death penalty in some of the countries remains a grave concern, especially in contexts where fair trial guarantees are not fully ensured.

We welcome recent improvements of the human rights situation in Bahrain, including on women’s rights, and the pardons of more than 3400 prisoners in Bahrain in 2024. We encourage Bahrain to continue along this path and to further align its policies with international human rights law, especially with regard to human rights defenders.

The EU expresses deep concern over the alarming deterioration of the human rights situation in South Sudan. Since February 2025, intensified hostilities between the South Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) have resulted in significant civilian casualties and mass displacement. Indiscriminate aerial bombardments have hit civilian-populated areas in grave violation of international humanitarian law. The arrest and arbitrary detention of First Vice President Riek Machar and other opposition figures further undermine the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement and threatens to plunge the nation back into civil war. They should be released. The EU urges all parties to immediately cease hostilities, ensure the protection of civilians, guarantee full, immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access and recommit to the full implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, including the implementation of the transitional justice mechanisms and the establishment of the Hybrid Court. We reaffirm our support for the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan and emphasise the necessity of continued monitoring and accountability for serious human rights violations.

The EU remains deeply concerned about the ongoing war and violence in Sudan and its devastating humanitarian consequences. Parties to the armed conflict continue to commit mass atrocities and breach international humanitarian law and human rights law. According to the UN Panel of Experts on the Sudan and the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for the Sudan, these acts may have included war crimes and crimes against humanity, and UN Special Advisers have warned of the urgent risk of genocide. Sudan is experiencing the largest protection crisis in the world. Mass sexual and gender-based violence, starvation, arbitrary killings, child abductions, forced recruitment, and ethnically-based targeted attacks have been used as weapons of war at an unprecedented rate and scale, affecting notably women and children. The EU is working with international accountability mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the UN FFM, to end the prevailing culture of impunity in the country. 

Regarding Ethiopia, the EU continues to be seriously concerned by current conflicts in the country and their effect on civilians, notably in the Amhara and Oromia regions, as well as by political tensions in the Tigray region, which need to be resolved through dialogue. The EU reiterates its full support for the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities (CoHA) concluded between the GoE and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on 2 November 2022, which remains the cornerstone of lasting peace stability in the region. The EU recalls the importance of accountability, including for sexual and gender-based crimes, victim-centred transitional justice and the national dialogue processes as a backbone of lasting peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia. We encourage all stakeholders in the country to actively engage in these processes. The EU is also concerned by reports of restrictions of the civic space and pressure on media workers. Free, independent and pluralistic civil society and media are key for successful reconciliation and elections due in 2026. We therefore call on the Government of Ethiopia to do its utmost to improve the environment for these actors, in respect of national, continental and international obligations.

Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have been facing worsening insecurity, democratic erosion, and severe humanitarian conditions for several years in a row. Also in 2024, the social and political context in these countries remained marked by serious human rights violations and abuses, murder and serious violence perpetrated against civilians. As regards the rights to freedoms of opinion, expression and assembly, the situation in these countries continued to deteriorate, leading to further shrinking of civic and political space which continues to date. 

The EU remains deeply concerned about Haiti’s worsening humanitarian and human rights crisis, driven by escalating armed gang violence fuelled by illicit arms trafficking. Civilians face severe threats, including sexual and gender-based violence, forced recruitment of children, and widespread human rights violations. Access to humanitarian aid is restricted, and acute food insecurity affects much of the population. The EU recognizes the critical role of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in restoring security and supporting Haiti’s path to stabilization and democratic elections. We urgently call on the Haitian political actors to work together in order to organize fair and free elections by the end of the year. Security operations must be accompanied by robust development and human rights efforts. Rebuilding basic services like education and healthcare, and ensuring protection of civilians, must be central to the international response. The EU remains committed to Haiti’s stability, development, and democratic future, and calls on all Haitian political actors to set aside personal interests and work together to resolve the crisis. 

The EU regrets the Foreign Agents Law recently adopted by El Salvador and is concerned about the shrinking civic space and recent detentions of Human Rights Defenders in the country. We call upon the authorities to ensure the safety and rights of defenders and journalists.

The EU remains deeply concerned about attacks on the rule of law and persistent instrumentalisation of the justice system in Guatemala, in particular the persecution or intimidation of public officials, democratically-elected authorities, civil society, media and judicial operators. The EU welcomes the efforts of the government to advance an ambitious national agenda centred on good governance, transparency, and advancing the protection of human rights and is ready to continue working closely together.

The EU is concerned over the high number of attacks on Human Rights Defenders in Honduras, in particular environmental defenders. The EU is also concerned by the high level of violence affecting women and girls, LGBTI persons and journalists. The EU remains ready to support the strengthening the national system for the protection of human rights defenders., access to justice, and the ability for human rights defenders to operate freely and safely. 

The EU continues to be seriously concerned about the deterioration of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Nicaragua. We reiterate our call for an immediate end of the repression, including transnational repression, against civil society and religious institutions, and the release of all political prisoners. We urge Nicaragua to adhere to its human rights obligations and cooperate with international human rights organisations and mechanisms.

High Commissioner,

In closing let us thank you for the human rights leadership and assure you that we continue to stand ready to support you and your Office in any way that we can.