Human Rights: EU and OHCHR held fourth annual Strategic Consultations

The EU and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) held their fourth annual Strategic Consultations on 21 October in Geneva.

During the consultations, the EU and the OHCHR reviewed their ongoing strategic cooperation and discussed future priorities against the continuing backsliding of human rights and democracy amid a proliferation of crises and conflicts globally. The exchange covered human rights developments across the world as well as the role of the High Commissioner and his Office in the implementation of the Pact of the Future.

The EU reaffirmed its unwavering support for multilateralism and the rules-based international order with the UN Human Rights System at its centre.  The EU values its strategic cooperation with the OHCHR and its field offices, and underlined its support for the independence of the Office in promoting and monitoring human rights and mainstreaming human rights throughout the UN system.

The EU and the OHCHR concurred on the need for increased engagement on economic, social and cultural rights. They discussed the High Commissioner’s plans to promote a Human Rights Economy to addressing inequalities, contributing to the fulfilment of universal human rights and advancing governance and sustainable development. The EU and the OHCHR agreed to continue engaging on business and human rights, including on the implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

The EU and the OHCHR intend to continue discussions at expert level on people on the move and human rights, such as the implementation of the new EU Pact on Asylum and Migration. They concurred on the need to keep working together to promote and advance human rights in the digital space, including through the implementation of the Global Digital Compact.

The Consultations also covered geographic human rights developments, such as the dramatic situation in Gaza and the military escalation in Lebanon, and its consequences across the Middle East; Ukraine, in the context of Russia’s illegal war of aggression in the country; as well as Afghanistan, East and South Asia, and Venezuela. The EU and the OHCHR also discussed cooperation with the African Union, including on human rights due diligence in security support policies. The EU reaffirmed its support to ending impunity for serious human rights violations and abuses as well as violations of international humanitarian law, to strengthen accountability, and to ensure compliance with international law.

The EU and the OHCHR will continue holding the strategic consultations annually, and to follow up with working level exchanges on joint priorities.

The Strategic Consultations were co-chaired by the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Olof Skoog, and the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al Nashif. The Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency Sirpa Rautio participated in the meeting, addressing amongst other human rights developments in the European Union.

During the consultations, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk exchanged with EUSR Skoog on the importance of the High-Level Strategic Consultations in the context of the broader EU-UN partnership.