EU Statement - HRC58 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders

United Nations Human Rights Council

58^th Session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Ms Mary Lawlor

5 March 2025

EU Statement

Mr President,

The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report and reiterates its strong support for her mandate. 

Special Rapporteur, your report sheds light on the vital work of human rights defenders working in remote areas, including land, environmental, Indigenous and women human rights defenders. We welcome this focus on the work of human rights defenders whose contributions often remain invisible. 

We are concerned by your findings that working in a remote location can be a risk multiplier for human rights defenders. The EU strongly condemns any acts of intimidation, threats, transnational repression or violence against all human rights defenders, both online or offline, wherever they are. 

Your report recommends that States enact human rights and environmental due diligence legislation for businesses, including risk assessments for human rights defenders. In line with the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, the EU engages with the business sector on upholding and promoting human rights and best practices on responsible business conduct, corporate social responsibility, due diligence, accountability and access to remedies, including for human rights defenders, in a participative manner.

The EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders also encourage EU and Member State embassies worldwide to adopt a proactive policy to protect human rights defenders, including by visiting their areas of work. The Guidelines underscore the EU’s firm commitment to protecting human rights defenders at risk by enhancing their visibility and by publicly speaking out against the threats they face. 

Madame Special Rapporteur,

How can the international community better support human rights defenders in remote areas, including those operating in conflict areas and detained in remote prisons?

Thank you.