The European Union warmly welcomes the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Morris Tidball-Binz, and expresses its appreciation for the update to the Council of the reports by his predecessor Ms. Agnes Callamard.

The reports demonstrate a grim reality of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, committed by both state and non-state actors. They make the case for the urgent need for accountability and justice. We also thank for the valuable contribution of your predecessor, including the comprehensive report on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the gender-sensitive approach she incorporated in her work.

The European Union is particularly worried by the continued targeting of human rights defenders, refugees and migrants, women and girls, journalists, media workers, political opponents, LGBTI persons ,  persons belonging to minorities, including ethnic and religious minorities, and persons in vulnerable situations. They are victims of arbitrary deprivation of life for, inter alia, exercising their right to freedom of expression, online and offline, or solely for their peaceful existence or for being who they are. The EU strongly condemns all acts of extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions and underlines the need to urgently act in a decisive manner to prevent such acts and investigate violations when they occur.

To ensure that systematic patterns of violence are adequately addressed, prosecution of perpetrators as well as effective medico-legal and death-investigation procedures are crucial. We have to make sure that no one is above the law. No perpetrator should escape justice. Pushing for justice will promote a shared sense of hope, commitment, and duty.

Mr. Special Rapporteur, how do you intend to pursue the focus of the mandate in the coming years in view of the deteriorating human rights situation across the world?