HRC61 - EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on minority issues
United Nations Human Rights Council
61st session
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on minority issues
17 March 2026
EU Statement
Madam/Mr. (Vice-) President,
The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his report and reiterates our strong support for the mandate and its extension during this session.
In January, the EU had the pleasure of welcoming the Special Rapporteur to Brussels and at the Fundamental Rights Agency in Vienna. As a matter of principle, the EU and its Member States always welcome Special Procedure mandate holders.
We welcomed the topic of last years’ Forum on Minority Issues to highlight the contribution of minorities to diverse, resilient and peaceful societies, while also identifying the challenges faced by societies in fully embracing diversity and recognizing the positive contributions that minorities brought through their unique characteristics, perspectives and experiences.
Respectful and appreciative treatment of encounters between cultures in everyday life can also be a valuable resource for society. While practicing different languages is a way to express identity for the national minorities’ groups, learning these languages can also be a valuable experience for the majority population. Multilingualism should be seen as a contributing value, not as a barrier. In this regard, we underline our commitment to fostering inclusivity, promoting diversity, in the context of safeguarding the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
Mr. Special Rapporteur,
We remain convinced that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities contributes to political and social stability and cohesion, and is key for effective prevention of conflicts.
Thank you.