HRC62 - EU Explanation of Vote - Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights
UN Human Rights Council 62nd Session
Item 3- Resolution L.2
NAM (Uganda)
Enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights
EU Explanation of Vote
Mr. President,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the EU Member States that are members of the Human Rights Council. This explanation of vote has been agreed by the EU as a whole.
International cooperation remains an essential element of the EU’s external relations, and we are determined to promote an international system based on strong multilateral cooperation and good global governance.
The EU thanks Uganda for holding, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, the informal consultation on this draft resolution. As this was a technical roll-over of the resolution, several of our concerns from previous years remain valid.
The EU regrets that the resolution contains elements and concepts that lack endorsement by the UN membership as a whole, such as “new international economic order”.
The language on terrorism remains unbalanced and fails to include respect for human rights, international humanitarian law and international refugee law as the framework within which the fight against terrorism must take place.
The EU also regrets that this draft uses biased language on so-called "unilateral coercive measures", despite the availability of consensual language on the matter.
Finally, we regret that the EU’s suggestion to present the resolution on a biannual basis, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the Council’s work, was not considered by the Core Group.
For the aforementioned reasons, the EU is compelled to call L.2 for a vote. The EU Member States that are members of this Council will be voting against the resolution, and we call on others to do the same.
For future sessions, the EU remains open for a dialogue with the Non-Aligned Movement in order to restore a consensual approach to the issue of international cooperation.
Thank you.