HRC63 - EU Statement - The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination EU Explanation of Vote

UN Human Rights Council 
63^th  session – Item 3

Resolution L.3  – EoV

The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination

 

EU Explanation of Vote

Thank you, 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. 

The EU engaged during the informal consultation with the Mission of Cuba. 

Unfortunately, this resolution leaves our longstanding concerns unresolved. 

For example, the draft continues to confuse the roles and actions of mercenaries, which are clearly defined under international humanitarian law, with the legal activities of private military and security companies, while confusion remains from the business and human rights angle. In the context of the liquidity crisis, the inefficient allocation of ressources remains a concern. Finally, the draft still associates mercenaries with the right to self-determination, which falls beyond the mandate of the Human Rights Council.

For the reasons mentioned above, the EU cannot support resolution L.3. 

The EU will call for a vote and the EU Member States that are members of the Human Rights Council will be voting against this initiative. 

I thank you, Mr. President.