HRC 46 - EU Statement - Item 2: Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

Madam President

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

The Candidate Countries Republic of North Macedonia[*], Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia align themselves with this statement.

The EU welcomes the oral update by the Deputy High Commissioner/ High Commissioner  and reaffirms its strong support for the mandate and independence of the OHCHR. 

We welcome your comprehensive written report on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The valuable guidance of your Office - not only to governments, but also other international organizations - is crucial in ensuring a human rights-based approach to our recovery efforts."

Regarding country situations of concern, the EU calls on Cambodia to comply with its human rights obligations, taking immediate action to ensure civil, economic, political and social rights for all, decriminalize opposition, lift restrictions on civic and political space and media, as well as to unconditionally  release all those detained on political grounds.  We express concern about the recent mass trials that are taking place in Cambodia against members of the opposition, activists, supporters and human rights defenders. While these cases are being expedited by the courts, the trial Kem Sokha, released on restrictive bail remains suspended and his petitions for a resumption of the proceedings rejected.

The EU reiterates its concerns over limitations to freedom of expression in Vietnam, both online and offline, exemplified by intimidation, arrest, detention and sentencing of journalists and human rights defenders.  The EU urges the authorities to release those  imprisoned for having peacefully expressed their views and to ensure that measures taken to counter disinformation are proportionate and in accordance with their human rights obligations.

The decision of the government of Honduras not to renew the mandate of the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) is regrettable. We call upon the government to continue efforts to fight impunity and corruption, including through legislative reform and the reorganisation of the criminal justice system, in cooperation with the international community.  Concerned with the high number of attacks on Human Rights Defenders, we call on the government to continue improving the efficiency of the National Mechanism of Protection of Human Rights Defenders in the country. We urge Honduras to fulfill the fundamental rights of women and girls in the country.

The criminalization of and high number of attacks and killings of Human Rights Defenders is also a concern in Guatemala. The EU reiterates its willingness to continue offering support for the ongoing fight against corruption and impunity. We call on the government to uphold democratic principles, human rights and the Rule of Law.

While recognizing the important achievements made in the Colombian peace process, the EU remains concerned with the increase in massacres and alarming level of intimidation and assassination of human rights defenders, social leaders and former FARC-EP combatants. We encourage improved action to protect those at risk, notably through addressing the root causes of the violence, adopting collective protection measures, holding perpetrators to account and increasing civilian state institutions in the conflict- affected areas. Sexual and gender based violence against women and girls is a matter of great concern.  

The EU remains concerned about the grave human rights violations and abuses in Cameroon especially in the North-West, South-West and the Far North Regions. Civil and political rights continue to be subject to limitations. The promised special status of Anglophone regions has yet to be fully implemented. The EU reiterates its view that the crisis can only be resolved through inclusive political dialogue.

Recent elections in Guinea were marred by human rights violations and abuses, violence and crackdown on the political opposition. The EU calls upon the authorities to ensure thorough investigation and hold those responsible accountable for their crimes.

The EU condemns the violence that occurred during the electoral campaign in Uganda and calls upon the authorities to ensure that any violations or abuses are duly and impartially investigated and those responsible held to account. The EU is gravely concerned by the harassment of political actors and the restriction of civil society and media in Uganda, and calls for the oppositons complaints to be addressed in an independent and transparent manner. The right to due process must be ensured for those detained.

In Tanzania, the EU urges the authorities to safeguard civic and democratic space, including by upholding the freedoms of expression, association and assembly and to ensure the opposition benefits from broad and inclusive political space.

Restrictions on political and civil rights in Saudi Arabia are of concern, including continued use of anti-terrorist/public security bodies to try civilians and human rights defenders undergoing prolonged detention including solitary confinement. The release of Loujain Al Hathloul constitutes a step in the right direction, although only on probation and with prohibition to travel for years. Thorough judicial examination of allegations of abuse is vital. Noting reforms to the penal system and a significant decrease in the use of capital punishment, the EU calls for further attention to the rights of migrant workers, to women’s rights and to the freedom of expression and of religion or belief.

The European Union expresses support for the holding of early elections in October 2021 in Iraq, during which Iraqis should be able to exercise their human rights to assemble and voice their legitimate concerns. The EU urges the Government to keep implementing the demanded socio-economic reforms, to ensure the inclusion of ethnic and faith based minorities, and to undertake preventive measures and investigate allegations of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, abductions and killings of civil rights activists, journalists and human rights defenders, keeping the recent lengthy prison-sentences against journalists and activists in KRI in mind. All violations and abuses must be investigated, with accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims being crucial.

As regards Nagorno-Karabakh  the EU stresses that international humanitarian law must be respected and calls for full implemention of the provisions of the November 9, 2020 cease-fire agreement on the exchange of prisoners of war and the repatriation of human remains. Should any foreign fighters still remain in the region, they should be promptly and fully withdrawn. The EU calls for the negotiation of a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the conflict resulting in lasting peace in the region.

Thank you!

[*] The Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.