HRC 62 - EU statement - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Migrants

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

62^nd session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Migrants

22 June 2026

EU statement

Thank you Mr President,

[The European Union takes note of the Special Rapporteur’s  report]

The EU remains deeply committed to stepping up action to uphold international law and promote and protect human rights in relation to all refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. 

The EU hosts 20% of the world’s refugees, and provides protection to around 400,000 refugees each year. As such, it pays high attention to the fundamental right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement, especially for persons in vulnerable situations. At the same time, the EU reaffirms its commitment to addressing irregular migration, fighting against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, in line with national legislation, and to countering the instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes, in full respect of human rights and international law. 

For it to be well governed, migration requires cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destination in a whole of route approach. This does not mean externalising responsibilities, but seeking cooperation between key actors along the migration route. The EU will continue to advocate for and implement a human rights-based approach to cooperation on migration, counting on the support of IOM and UNHCR. 

The EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum reinforces the importance of human rights monitoring, with EU Member States setting up independent national mechanisms to monitor fundamental rights compliance. 

Special Rapporteur, can you provide best practices on cooperation of States along migration routes, to better work together on migration? 

I thank you.