HRC62 - EU General Comment - Freedom of Opinion and Expression
UN Human Rights Council
62nd session – Item 2
L.12 – General Comment
Freedom of Opinion and Expression
EU General Comment
Mr President,
I speak on behalf of the EU Member States who are members of the Council. This statement reflects the position of the European Union as a whole.
We express our sincere appreciation to Canada and the Core Group for presenting the resolution on the right to freedom of opinion and expression. We commend them for their constructive engagement throughout this process.
The right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, is not only fundamental in itself, but also indispensable for the full and effective enjoyment of all other human rights.
At a time when freedom of expression is facing growing and increasingly complex challenges, we welcome that this year's text has been strengthened to reflect these evolving threats, including the manipulation of information online, the amplification of disinformation, misinformation and hate speech, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and repressive acts across borders. These developments pose significant risks to the enjoyment of human rights and to the exercise of freedom of expression, both online and offline.
The EU remains firmly committed to upholding freedom of expression and to fostering a safe and enabling environment in which it can be exercised freely. We are pleased to support the text as presented and encourage all members of this Council to join consensus.
Thank you.