HRC63 - EU Statement - Resolution on the right to development EU Explanation of vote

UN Human Rights Council

63^rd session – Item 3

L.1 – Explanation of vote

Resolution on the right to development

EU Explanation of vote

Mr. President,

I have the honour 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.

For the European Union, development is an inalienable, universal right —indivisible from human dignity. 

The Declaration on the Right to Development puts individuals as the central actors, drivers and beneficiaries of development. States, as duty bearers, carry the primary responsibility for realising all human rights, including the right to development. 

The EU promotes a human rights-based approach to inclusive and sustainable development. We work towards achieving sustainable development, the non-discriminatory realisation of all human rights, eradicating poverty in all its dimensions, tackling discrimination and inequalities, and leaving no one behind. 

We also act on our commitment - the EU and its Member States remain the world’s largest official development assistance donor.

Mr President, 

The EU thanks Uganda, therefore, for leading, on behalf of the NAM, open and inclusive informal consultations on the resolution L.1. We participated constructively to ensure that the text aligns with the principle of universality of human rights, with individuals as rights-holders and States as duty-bearers. Despite diverging views on the right to development, particularly on a draft legally binding instrument, the EU has and will continue to engage constructively. We appreciate the efforts made to address some of our concerns and are encouraged by the constructive developments.

We are still concerned by the approach that ignores the international human rights law that defines human rights as rights of individuals, including with regard to the Right to Development. Although the EU cannot support the resolution L.1, it thanks the penholder for the constructive dialogue during negotiations and remains ready to be actively engaged in a meaningful discussion with NAM and the wider UN membership on this important issue. 

Thank you.