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HRC 49 - High-level Segment - EU Statement

01.03.2022
Geneva

Statement by H.E. Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Mr. President,

As we gather today, at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Russian Federation is pursuing its military aggression against Ukraine, including attacks on civilians.

This is not only an attack on a free, democratic and peaceful Ukraine. It is an attack on global stability and security; an outrageous violation of international law and a violation of the basic principles of human co-existence.

So, let me begin by making it very clear: the EU condemns in the strongest terms Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine. We support the democratically elected government of Ukraine and its efforts to defend its territory and its people.

We stand by the women and men of Ukraine whose courage and determination is an inspiration to us all. We echo the UN Secretary General's appeal to Russia to stop its aggression and the High Commissioner’s words of grave concern over civilian casualties and the human rights implications of Russia’s actions.

The Human Rights Council must address this crisis in all its aspects and do so now.

While we are focused on the war in Ukraine, we cannot forget other situations where basic human rights are violated. Let me mention briefly some: 

  • In Belarus more than 1000 political prisoners have been locked up, because they dared to protest peacefully, as independent media and civil society are being repressed. The Lukashenko regime is complicit in facilitating Russia's military invasion of Ukraine and should be held accountable for this.
  • In Afghanistan girls are prevented from going to schools, and human rights defenders, journalists and minorities are hiding, or fleeing the country in fear of their life;
  • In Myanmar, the military ignores the results of democratic elections  and uses violence against its own citizens;
  • In northern Ethiopia, a humanitarian emergency is happening before our eyes, with credible allegations of massive human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.

Moreover, we are seeing an attempt by some, Russia, to reshape the core principles of international relations.

They seek to relativise key concepts of human rights and democracy, arguing that only states are sovereign, not people. If this revisionist campaign succeeds, we run the risk of moving back to an international order where might is right.

Let us remember that human rights are the law: are international law. But they are much more than just law. They are about the dignity of human beings. And they do not belong to any state or system. They belong to people. On this I want to be clear – human rights are universal and indivisible. They are the rights of all human beings.

The EU will not accept any efforts to undermine fundamental freedoms or existing international human rights obligations. All members of this Human Rights Council - and the UN Security Council - must respect the responsibility and obligations that come with their membership.   

This Council’s mandate is to ensure that human rights are upheld everywhere, and apply to everyone. Without any distinction between countries. And that means all human rights: economic, social, cultural, civil and political.

No country and no region has a perfect human rights record. No one of us is perfect. And that includes the European Union. So, I want to express the EU’s full support to High Commissioner Bachelet and to the independence of her office.

Her office is the custodian of Human Rights Norms. The Special Procedures are the eyes and ears of this Council and they must be allowed to do their work. 

Excellencies,

Multilateralism, with the United Nations at its core, remains the only way to achieve global peace, security and prosperity.

Russia's actions in Ukraine seek to make a mockery of multilateralism. President Putin has shown his contempt for the UN Security Council.

But no attempt by Russia, here in Geneva or in New York, to invoke international principles in justification will disguise the facts. The fact are the facts. The actions by President Putin and his government are the opposite of the principles on which the UN and this Human Rights Council are based. They must and will be held to account. 

I appeal to all UN members, big and small, to act with us to defend the principles and values of the UN and this Human Rights Council.

Because global security only exists if it is based on human dignity and respect for universal human rights.

Thank you.