EU Statement - HRC60 - General debate on Technical assistance and capacity-building

EU Statement - HRC60 - General debate on Technical assistance and capacity-building

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

60^th session

Item 10

General debate on Technical assistance and capacity-building

EU statement

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania* and Republic of Moldova align themselves with this statement.

The EU thanks the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the reports under item 10. We emphasize the critical importance of technical assistance and capacity building for strengthening human rights implementation globally. The EU and its Member States support multiple projects and programmes in this regard, including those implemented by the OHCHR, including through its human rights adviser programme, as well as other partners, such as regional organisations. They contribute to strengthening the skills and abilities of individuals and institutions in partner countries, aimed at effectively improving the respect for, protection and fulfilment of, human rights. They help, inter alia, to strengthen national human rights institutions, and national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, the promotion of human rights in public administration, as well as encompass training programs on the human rights-based approach.

Allow me to turn to some countries that have recently benefitted directly from OHCHR assistance.

The EU strongly supports endeavours by the interim government in Bangladesh to take forward reforms in consultation with political parties and other stakeholders as the country prepares for parliamentary elections. The EU encourages continued efforts by all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and inclusive transition, underpinned by good governance, democratic values and commitment to human rights. Securing progress on labour rights, including in the context of the National Action Plan on the Labour Sector, is a longstanding priority for EU-Bangladesh cooperation, and we look forward to the adoption of the revised Bangladesh Labour Act. The EU welcomes the decision by the interim government to ratify the Optional Protocol on the Convention against Torture. We also welcome the decision to establish an OHCHR office in the country, which will help Bangladesh ensure all citizens enjoy all human rights, as set out in its international commitments. The EU continues to follow closely the ongoing legal processes with respect to the criminal acts and human rights violations that occurred during last year's uprising. Violence and reprisals must be avoided, and the rule of law, due process, and the right to a fair trial must be upheld in all cases.

The EU welcomes Georgia's ongoing cooperation with the OHCHR and its commitment to engage with the UN human rights mechanisms. The EU has expressed its concerns under item 2 about the need for ensuring a functioning civil society without restrictions in Georgia. The EU reiterates its support for Georgia's territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We continue to be seriously concerned about the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The EU regrets the continued lack of access of the OHCHR and the UN human rights mechanisms to Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and urges access to be granted without further delay.

Regarding Yemen, the EU strongly condemns ongoing human rights violations, particularly in Houthi-controlled areas. These include restrictions on women and girls, the targeting of civil society actors, journalists, and human rights defenders, as well as violence against migrants at the Saudi border. The EU firmly opposes the death penalty, and insists that detainees must not be tried in special courts where they risk capital punishment. It remains deeply concerned about increasing restrictions on humanitarian access, especially those affecting female aid workers, and calls for the removal of all administrative and bureaucratic obstacles to ensure safe, non-discriminatory aid delivery across the country. The EU continues to support capacity-building of the National Commission of Inquiry, but believes that the current mandate is not sufficient and that this Council should be mandated to discuss the deteriorating situation on the ground on the basis of an independent report by the Office. We are disappointed that this is currently still not the case.

With regard to the situations in Haiti, Central African Republic, Somalia, Libya, Cambodia and Ukraine, we would like to refer to our statements during the respective interactive dialogues.

I thank you.

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