HRC63 - EU Statement - Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner and EMLER on discrimination in law enforcement

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

63^rd session

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner and EMLER on discrimination in law enforcement

29 September 2026

EU statement

The European Union welcomes the High Commissioner’s report and its focus on transformative change for racial justice and equality for Africans and people of African descent. We take note of its findings on structural racism in law enforcement and criminal justice, and on the report’s recognition of the EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026–2030 as an initiative aimed at combating racism in all its forms. The EU also welcomes the report from EMLER on systemic racism in the enforcement of drug laws and policies, and agrees with its focus on the need for law-enforcement responses grounded in human rights, non-discrimination, objective decision-making and effective oversight.

The European Union is addressing these challenges through its Anti-Racism Strategy 2026–2030. It places particular emphasis on strengthening the enforcement of anti-discrimination law, addressing and preventing discriminatory profiling and racial bias, improving the availability and use of equality data, and ensuring the meaningful participation of people of African descent and civil society in shaping policies that affect them.

In parallel, the EU Drugs Strategy promotes an evidence-based, balanced, multidisciplinary and human-rights-based approach, combining action against drug trafficking and organised crime with prevention, treatment, reintegration and harm reduction. Together, these frameworks underline the EU’s commitment to ensuring that efforts to address crime and discrimination are effective, rights-based and non-discriminatory.

Esteemed Panellists, what concrete policing reforms have proven effective in preventing racial profiling, and how can these reforms better incorporate an intersectional gender perspective?