EU Statement – UN General Assembly 3rd Committee: Agenda item 71: Human Rights

- FULL VERSION -

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

The Candidate CountriesNorth Macedonia*,Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Chair,

The adoption of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations is a major achievement for multilateralism. The Pact sets up the building blocks to make the multilateral system more fair, equitable and inclusive. The international community has proven that together, we are stronger.

The EU welcomes the broad level of ambition contained in the Pact. Promoting respect for human rights remains one of the fundamental pillars of the United Nations. To that end, sustainable funding for human rights mechanisms, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, is crucial. The strong references to human rights throughout the Pact, particularly linked to sustainable development, and respect for international law and the UN Charter, are core elements that will allow us to keep working towards the full enjoyment of human rights for all.

The Pact for the Future emphasizes that our goals require the full, equal and meaningful participation and representation of all women in political and economic life. The revitalization of the Commission of the Status of Women under the ECOSOC will be an important deliverable of the Pact to that end. Too often in recent years, we have seen increasing pushback against gender equality and the rights of women and girls across different spheres, including in international fora. We call for continued cooperation to stand firm against it. The EU calls on the whole UN membership to scale up action to achieve gender equality. International norms and standards should be respected and must continue to be advanced. The resolution on the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls will once again be tabled and facilitated by two EU Member States, underscoring our commitment to lead international efforts to prevent and eliminate sexual and gender-based violence.

As set out in the 2017 European Consensus on Development, "Our World, our Dignity, our Future", the EU remains committed to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and to the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the programme of action of the international conference on population and development (ICPD) and the outcomes of their review conferences and remains committed to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), in this context. Having that in mind, the EU reaffirms its commitment to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of the right of every individual to have full control over, and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality and sexual and reproductive health, free from discrimination, coercion and violence. The EU furthers stresses the need for universal access to quality and affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information, education, including comprehensive sexuality education, and health-care services.

The EU has a principled stance that international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be respected. Civilians must be protected at all times and there needs to be accountability for violations of international law. We must not allow the international criminal justice system to be undermined. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is of paramount importance to ensure accountability for atrocity crimes and to deliver justice for victims. We also continue to stress the importance of respecting and implementing the orders rendered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which are legally binding.

Chair,

The EU will present three resolutions in this session of the Third Committee.

First, on the right to freedom of religion or belief, as the EU is firmly committed to the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief for all individuals around the world. Everybody has the right to have or not to have a religion or belief, to manifest their religion or belief and to change it. Therefore, we condemn the criminalisation of apostasy and the abuse of blasphemy laws. We also condemn discrimination, intolerance, violence, and persecution on the grounds of religion or belief, and reject any form of incitement to religious hatred. The EU upholds respect for diversity, which includes respect for all persons no matter their religion or belief. In line with our commitments, we will again present a resolution on freedom of religion or belief and organise a side-event with the UN Special Rapporteur on FORB.

Second, together with our partners in OIC, we will present the annual resolution on human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. We are deeply worried about the escalation of violence and deteriorating humanitarian situation across Myanmar. The EU calls for peaceful reconciliation and reestablishment of a democratic path in Myanmar/Burma and continues to support the United Nations' and ASEAN's efforts in this regard. We call for an end to systematic acts of violence and use of force by the Myanmar military across the country, including indiscriminate bombing that has caused heavy civilian casualties as well as massive destruction of civilian infrastructure and means of livelihood. We also call for comprehensive, full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need. The EU will continue to support all accountability mechanisms and courts, and commends the work of the International Criminal Court and Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) in this regard. Together with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, we will again present a joint resolution on the situation of human rights of Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar to call for their protection.

Third, the EU will again present the resolution on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Ten years after the Commission of Inquiry published its report on the, we still see no improvement and a lack of engagement of the DPRK with the international community. The EU will again present a resolution on human rights in the DPRK, urging that those responsible for human rights violations and abuses in the DPRK should be held accountable, that the DPRK implements the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, and calling upon the DPRK to engage in the upcoming fourth cycle of the universal periodic review process.

The EU reaffirms its strong and unequivocal opposition to the use of the death penalty at all times and under all circumstances. As a first step towards abolition, the EU fully supports a global moratorium against the death penalty and values the efforts of the co-facilitators within the Inter-regional Task Force that negotiates the Resolution. The discriminatory application of the death penalty, often after proceedings that do not meet international standards on the right to a fair trial and due process, can become a tool for instilling fear, repressing opposition, and quashing the legitimate exercise of human rights. In order to foster an open and democratic debate on its application, States should improve transparency and access to accurate information on death penalty procedure, policy, and practice.

The 40^th anniversary of the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment this year is an urgent call to us all to do more to prevent, prohibit, prosecute and punish acts of torture and other ill treatment, as well as to ensure the protection and participation of the victims and survivors in these efforts. Torture is prohibited in all circumstances, without exception. The rise in incidents of ill-treatment and torture in the context of peaceful protests and assembly is worrying, and the use of torture as a method to suppress political dissent and restrict civic space is unacceptable.

Chair,

One year has now passed since the brutal terrorist attacks conducted by Hamas and other terrorist groups against Israel on 7 October 2023, which the EU condemns in the strongest possible terms. The EU expresses its full solidarity and support to Israel and its people and reaffirms its full commitment to its security and to regional stability. We reiterate the need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. In exercising its right to defend itself, Israel must fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, in all circumstances. The EU reiterates its grave concern with the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as well as the escalating violence in the occupied Palestinian territory. We note with utmost concern the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, especially children, as well as the catastrophic levels of hunger and imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry and distribution of aid into Gaza. We call on all parties to take every feasible step to protect civilian lives as well as humanitarian workers and facilities, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law. The EU calls for an increase in the flow of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, and urges Israel to ensure that UNRWA can carry out its crucial work in line with its mandate. The EU stresses the importance of respecting and implementing the orders rendered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which are legally binding. In parallel, the EU strongly condemns ongoing extremist settler violence and settlement expansion. The special status and character of Jerusalem and its Old City, the inviolability of its sacred spaces and the viability of all its communities must be preserved and respected by all.

In Lebanon, we are extremely concerned by the military confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah. We are deeply concerned by Hezbollah's continued launch of rockets into Israel that has to stop. The EU renews its call for an immediate ceasefire and for both parties to commit to the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, so as to ensure the safe return of displaced populations on both sides. We express particularly grave concern regarding the attacks by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) against the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which left several peacekeepers wounded. The safety and security of UN peacekeepers is paramount. We call on all parties to protect and support the mandate of UNIFIL. We deplore the recent strikes by the IDF in densely populated areas in Beirut and in other regions and the heavy price paid by civilians, including children, medical workers, and UN staff, and urge the respect of International Humanitarian Law and international human rights law in all circumstances. Any further escalation would have dramatic consequences for the region and beyond. We emphasise the need to protect Lebanon's sovereignty and stability, and to support Lebanon's state institutions.

Chair,

The EU continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms the atrocity crimes committed in the context of Russia's illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine,including thesystematic and widespread use of torture and sexual and gender-based violence. The EU urges that Russia grants without delay full and unhindered access to all humanitarian actors and international organisations to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. We reiterate our call on Russia and Belarus to ensure the immediate and safe return of all civilians, especially children, forcibly transferred within Ukraine or deported to Russia and Belarus. The EU is firmly committed and will support further efforts to ensure that Russia is held fully accountable for all international crimes and human rights violations stemming from the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russiahas also amplified its systematic crackdown on civil society, human rights defenders, independent media and journalists, lawyers, political opposition and critical voices inside the country and outside. The EU calls on Russia to abolish its repressive legislation. Russia must immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and end the political misuse of the judiciary and law enforcement, including against persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTI persons, and against the rights of Indigenous Peoples as set out in the UNDRIP and international human rights law.

In Belarus, we strongly condemn the systemic repression and intimidation campaigns against all segments of society and urge the authorities to immediately cease stop all human rights violations. We have taken note of the recent releases of political prisoners and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and the introduction of a moratorium on the death penalty with a view to its abolition. We call on the Belarusian authorities to stop enabling Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, and strongly condemnthe instrumentalisation of migrants by the Belarussian regime, in complicity with Russia, for political purposes.

After more than thirteen years of unimaginable human suffering, we continue to witness persistent human rights violations and abuses in Syria, particularly by the Syrian regime and its allies. The EU reaffirms the need to achieve conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified returns of Syrian refugees as defined by UNHCR. The Syrian regime bears fundamental responsibilities to ensure that these conditions are met. The EU supports UNHCR's efforts in support of the refugees. We recall the need for full, safe and immediate humanitarian access. The only path to sustainable peace is an inclusive political solution in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Impunity must be ended and the situation in Syria referred to the ICC.

In Iran, the use of capital punishment, including as a response to domestic dissent, is unacceptable, and the number of executions is alarming. The EU calls on Iran to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment as well as to respect and uphold human rights for all, in particular women and girls and persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities. Freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of religion or belief, and the right to peaceful assembly must be respected in all circumstances. We urge Iran to immediately release all arbitrarily detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals, and to provide due process to all detainees. Iran must allow free and unhindered access of UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures mandate holders to the country, and fully cooperate with the UN Fact Finding Mission.

The systematic human rights violations and abuses by the Taliban, and in particular the violations and abuses of the rights of Afghan women and girls are appalling. Imposed restrictions on their education and employment, including dress codes, notably ordering women to cover their bodies and faces in public, and requiring that their voices must not be heard in public, deprives Afghan women of their inherent human rights and fundamental freedoms, including their right to freedom of expression. We urge the Taliban to put an end to the systematic and systemic violations and abuses against Afghan women and girls, which may amount to gender persecution, which is a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which Afghanistan is a State Party. The EU also calls for the protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities and persons in vulnerable situations such as the Hazara, as well as LGBTI persons. An Afghan-led political process inclusive of all Afghans is required to ensure sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.

In China, the human rights situation continues to raise serious concerns, including political re-education camps, mass arbitrary detentions, widespread and residential surveillance, as well as systemic and severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Uyghurs, Tibetans and other persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious, linguistic and other minorities continue to be subjected to human rights violations. Human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, media workers and intellectuals are exposed to harassment and ill-treatment. The EU condemns all reprisals against those individuals or civil society organisations who seek to cooperate with the United Nations to promote and protect human rights. The EU urges China to abide by its domestic and international legal obligations to respect human rights for all and calls on China to cooperate with all international human rights mechanisms, including the Office of the High Commissioner towards the implementation of the recommendations in its assessment report.

The repressive use of national security legislation in Hong Kong undermines fundamental freedoms.Of particular concern is its extraterritorial application. The EU is following with great concern the trials of politicians, media practitioners and pro-democracy advocates. The sweeping changes in the electoral system have eroded democratic principles and political pluralism. The EU urges the Chinese government and Hong Kong authorities to restore full respect for the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and democratic principles in line with Hong Kong's Basic Law.

The EU will continue to work with its partners to ensure that the will of the Venezuelan people expressed at the ballot box is respected; and to facilitate a Venezuelan-led dialogue that provides guarantees to both sides, leads to the restoration of democracy, and solves the humanitarian and socio-economic crisis. The EU calls for arbitrary detentions and repression of opposition members, civil society, and media to end, and for the release of all political prisoners, the exercise of peaceful protest and the respect of the right to freedom of association.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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