HRC 38 – EU Intervention on the United States' decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states.

The promotion and protection of human rights is at the heart of the EU's foreign policy and a central pillar of the United Nations system. For its part, the European Union remains steadfastly and reliably committed to the Human Rights Council as the United Nations’ main body for upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide. We reaffirm our support to the effective and efficient functioning of the Human Rights Council that has impact on the ground and we remain committed to cooperating with all countries and with civil society in order to strengthen the Council, while protecting its achievements. 

The EU regrets the decision by the US to withdraw from the Human Rights Council. The US has for many years been a strong partner for the European Union in the Human Rights Council. Yesterday’s decision risks undermining the role of the US as a strong advocate and supporter of democracy on the world stage. The European Union will continue to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms, whether in multilateral fora or around the world.

We share the objective to further strengthen the Human Rights Council and to also improve its working methods.  We therefore remain strongly engaged in the ongoing efficiency efforts led by the Human Rights Council President. The EU is and will continue to be a staunch supporter of multilateralism and the wider UN system.

We will remain fully engaged and committed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which we this year proudly celebrate the 70th anniversary, and whose values and principles are inseparable from those of the European Union itself.