Standing Up for Human Rights at the 63rd Human Rights Council

"Human rights and democracy are in retreat worldwide. The backsliding of human rights and efforts to undermine democracies do not simply go hand in hand with the chaos and conflict we see around the world; they are the primary drivers of both." These are the words of Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, when presenting the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World.

The EU will therefore continue to be a strong voice for the protection and promotion of human rights, both within its borders and globally. Human rights are universal, indivisible and fundamental to human dignity in all circumstances. We look forward to working with all partners and stakeholders at the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC63) in Geneva to counter the pushback against human rights.

"Our message is clear: the EU is unwaveringly committed to the universal respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights for everyone, everywhere."
- EU Council conclusions on UN Human Rights Fora

At HRC63, the EU will present a resolution on the human rights situation in Russia. The resolution, previously led by the Benelux countries, will renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. The EU remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia and will highlight deaths in detention, the use of coercive psychiatry as a tool of repression, the misuse of courts, transnational repression, the militarisation of schools, and the situation of lawyers, independent media, journalists and civil society.

The EU will also lead a resolution on the situation in Afghanistan. It will renew the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur and seek to ensure continued close attention to the abysmal situation on the ground, particularly that of women and girls. A decision providing considerable EU funding for the new investigative mechanism was recently signed, and we hope this will support our accountability efforts regarding ongoing violations of human rights and international law.

We will also present a resolution on the human rights situation in Burundi, renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. With reports of increasingly grave violations in the country and presidential elections scheduled for 2027, it is important to maintain scrutiny of the situation.

The EU will also be actively involved in negotiating joint statements and resolutions and will speak at interactive dialogues, including those concerning the human rights situations in Ukraine in the context of Russia's ongoing war of aggression, in Russia, Belarus, Ethiopia, Sudan and Venezuela. It will also engage on thematic issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence on human rights, racism, the right to development, youth, and the right to water and sanitation.

Reflecting the Team Europe approach, individual EU Member States will also contribute through resolutions and joint initiatives, acting in their national capacities and in cooperation with other partners, on topics such as:

• Human rights in Sudan
• Countering cyberbullying
• Enforced or involuntary disappearances
• Good governance
• The rights of peasants
• Safe drinking water and sanitation
• Youth and human rights
• Children's access to adequate food

All EU statements will be posted on this website.

Please also see the latest Declaration by the EU and its Member States in support of effective multilateralism, where the EU reiterated its staunch support of a robust, effective and independent UN human rights pillar and calls for adequate, predictable and sustainable funding for the UN human rights system, as well as the systematic mainstreaming of human rights throughout all UN activities.

The EU underscores the need to protect the institutions that uphold the respect for international law and ensure accountability for violations and breaches of international human rights and international humanitarian law, including international courts, their officials and those cooperating with them. - Declaration by the EU and its Member States in support of effective multilateralism