HRC61 - EU Statement - Item 5
European Union
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
61st Session
(23 February – 31 March 2026)
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Item 5
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Statement by
H.E. Ms. Deike Potzel
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the European Union
Geneva, 17 March 2026
HRC61: Item 5 General debate; HR bodies and mechanisms
EU statement
Mr. / Madame (Vice) President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Liechtenstein, Moldova (Republic of), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine align themselves with this statement.
The European Union reaffirms its steadfast commitment to a strong and credible multilateral human rights architecture, with the United Nations and its mechanisms at its core. We underscore the essential role, independence and integrity of the UN Special Procedures mandate holders. Their contribution in early warning, technical support, capacity-building and monitoring and documentationcontinues to be essential to prevention and to accountability. All EU Member States have extended a standing invitation to Special Procedures. We encourage all remaining States to do the same, to pursue genuine cooperation with them and facilitate their country visits and follow up.
The EU will continue to support UN special procedures, mandate holders and other independent investigations into violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international human rights law. We call on all States to grant the UN and its human rights monitoring mechanisms unconditional and unhindered access to their territories. Investigative bodies’ work plays a vital role in reinforcing accountability and helps mainstream human rights across all pillars of the UN system.
As the United Nations continues its reform efforts, the UN80 initiative provides an opportunity to further strengthen the Organization’s coherence and impact, including its normative role and the integration of human rights across the UN system, notably through the proposed Human Rights Group led by the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It will be important to ensure that the United Nations remains fit to deliver across all three pillars, including by enhancing the impact of its work in the field of human rights.
At the same time, the EU remains vigilant that the UN80 reform and related budget processes do not disproportionately affect the human rights pillar. We stress the need for adequate, predictable, increased and sustainable funding from the regular budget to OHCHR and the UN human rights mechanisms, as affirmed in the Pact for the Future, mindful that the human rights pillar is structurally underfunded, and particularly affected by the Organization’s liquidity crisis. We urge all States to fulfil their financial obligations in full and on time. A strong and effective UN human rights system depends on an adequately resourced and fully independent Office of the High Commissioner. The United Nations must continue to uphold, defend and properly fund human rights across all pillars.
An open, inclusive and independent civil society remains essential to the functioning of democratic societies. The EU will actively support, promote, protect and empower a diverse and independent civil society, championing their meaningful and safe participation in all UN fora. The EU strongly condemns any form of intimidation or reprisals against human rights defenders, media workers and civil society organisations, including those who cooperate with the UN in any form, and calls for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations, as well as accountability for perpetrators. We also underscore the important role of independent National Human Rights Institutions and National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up in strengthening accountability.
The EU reaffirms its unwavering support for the international criminal justice system, particularly to the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as its commitment to upholding the Rome Statute and to preserving the ICC’s independence and integrity.
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council this year, it is vital to reaffirm its central role as a key forum for meaningful dialogue, cooperation and concrete action to prevent and address human rights violations and abuses. We call on all States to engage constructively, adhere to the highest human rights standards, implement in a timely manner the Council’s decisions and recommendations, and reinforce the independence, integrity and effectiveness of our shared multilateral institutions.
I thank you.