EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Report of the Human Rights Council

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Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*,   Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine as well as Andorra, Monaco align themselves with this statement.

The European Union would like to thank the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Federico Villegas, for presenting the Council’s annual report to the UN General Assembly.

The European Union has been strongly supporting the Human Rights Council since its establishment and we continue to do so. Being the only UN body that is purely devoted to the promotion and protection of all human rights, the Council has greatly contributed to strengthening the UN’s human rights pillar. The system of Special Procedures, the establishment of accountability and investigation mechanisms, the Universal Periodic Review and all other mechanisms of the Council significantly contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. The EU and its Member States are proud they have initiated or supported several resolutions which created many thematic and country-specific special procedures, such as the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar or OHCHR examination of the human rights situation in Belarus. We are also strongly supportive of the role of the Council to advance economic, social and cultural rights: for instance, during HRC50, the EU has taken the initiative of a cross-regional statement calling on a digital transformation governed by human rights. In the HRC like here in New York, we are actively engaged on initiatives supporting the Rights of the Child, freedom of Religion or Belief, and the advancement of women, among other topics.

Mr President,

The HRC’s mandate includes addressing violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and making recommendations thereon. This Council, together with the Third Committee of the General Assembly, is where thematic human rights issues and situations in the world that require attention are discussed and where the international community calls upon States to deliver on their obligation to respect, protect and fulfil   human rights that are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated.

In many parts of the world, the situation of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, is becoming increasingly dire. COVID-19 has only exacerbated this problem. In this context, we are reminded of our responsibilities across international fora, particularly, in Geneva with the HRC and in New-York with the Third Committee, CSW, CSocD, to work to ensure a world where human rights and human dignity are upheld.

Our success must be measured by not only ending, but also preventing human rights violations, holding those responsible accountable and ensuring justice for victims and survivors. We must help these women and girls who defend their freedom in Iran. We must help persecuted Uyghurs. We must prevent further violations of human rights of Ukrainians perpetrated by Russia in its war of aggression against their country. We must improve the condition of Afghan women and girls. We must help the Belarusian people in their struggle for respecting their fundamental freedoms and democratic aspirations.

Mr. President,

The EU continues to promote human rights around the world; we cannot and will not just ignore the widespread human rights violations and abuses that continue unabated in too many places. We are committed to engaging in the spirit of partnership and constructive cooperation with partners from all regions to reach lasting solutions that advance the promotion and protection of human rights. We will not look away when the most serious crimes continue unabated, in the DPRK, in Myanmar, in Ukraine as the result of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, in Syria and in other places.

Mr. President,

We welcome that the HRC’s leadership in responding to human rights situations in more places where attention is urgently needed. We welcome the adoption last month of the resolution establishing the mandate of a Special Rapporteur for the human rights situation in Russia. It is also the case in Afghanistan, where the EU continues to call on the Taliban to form a representative and inclusive government, to continue cooperation with UN agencies, with the Special Rapporteur and other Special Procedures mandate holders appointed by the Human Rights Council. We welcome the adoption of the reinforced resolution on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, which the EU presented at HRC51 and the Urgent Debate held at HRC50 on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. In Ethiopia, we underline the importance and the urgency for all parties to cooperate with the Commission of Experts established by the resolution HRC/S-33/1, and welcome that the HRC has renewed the mandate of the Commission as proposed by the EU. We also welcome that the HRC has extended the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission in Venezuela through resolution 45/20 to assess alleged human rights violations committed since 2014. We underline the critical importance of the Council to the crisis in Syria. Violations committed by all parties, particularly the Syrian regime and its allies, cannot be ignored. Those responsible for violations of international law, in particular of international humanitarian law and human rights law, some of which may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, must be brought to justice.

Mr. President,

Civil society plays a crucial role in the work of the Council and its mechanisms. However, as confirmed by the report presented by Assistant Secretary-General Brands Kehris in the Third Committee last month, many states target individuals or groups who engage with the UN Human Rights System. The European Union strongly condemns any act or threat of reprisal. The ability of individuals and groups to raise concerns with special procedures without fear of reprisals is vital for the work of these mechanisms and their capacity to fulfil their mandates. We must do the utmost to prevent and eliminate reprisals.

Mr. President

Last month, the General Assembly elected new members of the Human Rights Council. Serving as a Council member entails important responsibilities - resolution 60/251 provides that: “members elected to the Council shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights and shall fully cooperate with the Council”. We congratulate the new members and remind all governments of their primary responsibility under international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights in  their own country and to fully cooperate with the Council’s mechanisms.

We also strongly encourage all States and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Special Procedures as a means to enhance the protection and promotion of human rights. We take this opportunity to call on all States that haven’t done so to extend a standing invitation to all Special Procedures.

Thank you.