UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

52^nd Session

(27 February to 4 April 2023)

Item 8

Statement by

H.E. Ms Anna JARDFELT

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Sweden

on behalf of the European Union

Geneva, 29 March 2023

- CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY –

UNITED NATIONS

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

52^nd session

(27 February – 4 April 2023)

EU Statement

General debate on the follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (Item 8)

Speaking time – 2’30’’

Thank you, Mr. President,

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

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, the potential candidate country Georgia, the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia  align themselves with this statement.

2023 is a year of many anniversaries in the field of human rights, including the 30^th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA).

The VDPA remains a landmark document for the promotion and protection of human rights, also due to its role in the establishment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. With its adoption all States affirmed that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated.

Much has been achieved over the past 30 years, including through the highly important work of an independent OHCHR, and we thank the High Commissioner and his staff for their tireless efforts.

Yet, as the High Commissioner, human rights advocates and others keep reminding us, this is not the time for complacency or self-congratulatory statements.

The common approach that was reaffirmed in the VDPA and which is encapsulated in its Preamble’s first sentence, namely that “…the promotion and protection of human rights is a matter of priority for the international community”, must be reaffirmed and realized more urgently than ever.

The Human Rights Council, without doubt, needs to continue to fulfil its role in countering negative global trends and narratives and in ensuring that the human rights commitments we are commemorating are tangible reality for every individual, and not just mere rhetoric. Members of the Human Rights Council should therefore lead by example, as stipulated in GA resolution 60/251.

Civil society, including human rights defenders and journalists continue to play the crucial role that was recognized in the VDPA, in promoting and protecting human rights, including our work in the Council.

Therefore the Council needs to oppose ongoing attempts to shrink the space for civil society and defend their ability to freely communicate about human rights issues to all relevant stakeholders.

The EU unequivocally condemns any direct and indirect restrictions to their legitimate work and reiterates that any intimidation or reprisal against persons who cooperate with the UN human rights system, including the Council’s own mechanisms, are unacceptable.

I thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.