HRC53 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants - EU Statement
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
53th session
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
26 June 2023
EU Intervention
Mister President,
At the outset, allow us to express our heartfelt condolences for the lives lost in the tragic shipwreck off the European coasts earlier this month. We grieve the countless lives lost at sea, in the desert, or at international borders across the world.
We also want to thank Mr. Felipe González Morales, at his last presentation before this Council. During the six years of his mandate, Mr. Gonzalez worked to identify gaps to the full and effective protection of the human rights of all migrants, as well as ways and means to overcome them. He provided recommendations also to the EU and its Member States. We always carefully studied his reports and valued his inputs. We strongly believe in the role of this Council’s mechanisms and special procedures in strengthening the protection of human rights worldwide, including by prompting all Member States constantly to re-examine and improve their policies and practices. We look forward to continue working with his successor.
Human rights are universal and must be guaranteed to all persons, regardless inter alia of migratory status. Our support and protection of all victims of trafficking, special attention to unaccompanied minors, and legally ensured protection of migrant workers against exploitation from their employers, are just a few examples of our commitment in this regard.
Finally, we wish to reiterate our commitment to fighting against the smuggling and trafficking of migrants and strong condemnation of state-sponsored attempts to instrumentalise them for political purposes, often deliberately and inhumanely putting their lives in danger.
The EU emphasises that no country can address migration and forced displacement on its own, whether in Europe or elsewhere in the world.
I thank you.