Informal conversation with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet - EU Intervention
Madam President,
The EU welcomes this informal briefing, and thanks the High Commissioner for the letter on her Office’s initial action plan to COVID-19, including embedding human rights in the broader UN response.
While we are doing everything we can to combat the virus in Europe, we agree that this is a time for solidarity and cooperation - The EU supports international cooperation and multilateral solutions in this crisis, and is working to secure financial support to partner countries for more than 20 billion EUR. All measures taken must be in accordance with international law, including human rights. In our response we will continue to promote and uphold good governance, human rights, the rule of law, gender equality and non-discrimination, decent work conditions, as well as fundamental values and humanitarian principles.
High Commissioner,
We need to act swiftly on the health, social, economic and humanitarian aspects, while maintaining a human rights-based approach to our actions. The EU will put its full weight behind the UN Secretary General’s UN-wide response and you can count on our support in ensuring the centrality of human rights in these global efforts. The EU is a staunch advocate of having human rights at front and centre of UN’s work, with inclusive decision-making involving civil society and access to information being key elements. Only by adopting a human rights-based approach can we guarantee an effective response and ensure that no one is left behind.
Madam Bachelet,
As you have pointed out, response measures should adhere to human rights standards, including limiting any restrictions on human rights to what is strictly necessary and proportionate to the evaluated risk. OHCHR’s mandate is of utmost importance when advising governments in that their response plans are people-centered and uphold the dignity and human rights of all without discrimination of any kind.