HRC 51 - EU Intervention: Interactive Dialogue on Secretary General's report on reprisals

Mister President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. We welcome the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and thank her for presenting the report and her continued efforts on this critically important issue.

Reprisals and intimidation against those who cooperate with the United Nations constitute a serious attack, not only against those courageous enough to stand up for human rights, but also against the very essence and proper functioning of the UN system itself. The EU condemns in the strongest terms possible any form of intimidation, harassment, and reprisals, both offline and online, and calls on all states to respect and protect persons, in particular civil society organisations and human rights defenders cooperating with the UN System.

In this regard, the EU is concerned about recent negative developments, such as reprisals against human rights defenders and civil society organisations in the context of the UPR process. In addition, as the President of the Council did in his Opening Remarks of this Session, the EU calls on all States to respect the work and role of mandate holders, including Special Rapporteurs.

The EU prioritises support to human rights defenders and civil society organisations from around the world and we remain committed to sharpening preventive as well as reactive means to protect all human rights defenders and civil society organisations.

Mrs. Brands Kehris, as you state in your report, new digital technologies have created opportunities for increased civil society participation within and cooperation with the United Nations, which the EU welcomes. At the same time, the EU shares your concerns of emerging risks of these new technologies, such as expanded digital surveillance, including the use of spyware and coordinated online attacks by both States and non-State actors. What do you consider the number one priority in increasing the trust in the digital sphere among those courageous enough to share information and testimony with the UN on sensitive issues?

I thank you.