United Nations Human Rights Council

54^th Session

Item 6 - General debate on Universal Periodic Review

3 October 2023

EU Statement

Mister President,

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.

The European Union remains strongly committed to the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, which has the ultimate goal of improving the situation of human rights all over the globe.

As its fourth cycle is already well underway, we welcome the participation so far, and encourage the full engagement of all States in the future as well.

We wish to underline the importance of good preparation of the reviews and proper implementation of their outcomes, to achieve tangible results and make long-term progress in the area of human rights in all UN Member States.

This requires all States to be involved and base their recommendations on objective and reliable information, such as information and reports from Special Procedures, Treaty Bodies, OHCHR reports, other UN entities such as UN country teams, as well as information from other stakeholders, including National Human Rights Institutions and Civil Society Organisations.

Civil Society plays a crucial role in several phases of the UPR process, such as in the preparation of the UPR sessions, the implementation of their outcomes, and in contributing to the quality of the national reports. The EU therefore reiterates our call on all States to take the necessary measures to allow and enhance civil society involvement, without fear of reprisals or persecution, harassment or intimidation at home or abroad. We will continue to defend the work of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, journalists and other media actors, and human rights lawyers.

The EU also recalls the very important role of national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up in the implementation of the UPR recommendations. National parliaments, National Human Rights Institutions as well as many other segments of society are essential in ensuring that the UPR process has a real impact on the ground.

Finally, please allow me to reiterate the EU’s full support to the UPR as well as our gratitude to all stakeholders involved for their important contributions to the process.

Thank you.

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