This session opens on a significant date: three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU strongly condemns Russia’s ongoing aggression and reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine and its people. Justice and accountability remain paramount.

In this challenging context, the work and unique role of the Council to protect and promote human rights is more important than ever. The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to the UN human rights system, including the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. Human rights are at the core of the EU’s external action, and we will continue to work with partners from all regions to uphold and advance the international human rights cause.

At this session, the EU will present four resolutions. (See also EU announces initiatives at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council)

We are leading a resolution on Belarus to ensure that the ongoing repression of independent and dissenting voices, arbitrary detentions, torture, and denial of fair trial rights remain under close scrutiny.

Presented together with Australia, our resolution on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will continue to draw attention to the dire human rights and humanitarian situation in the country and express continued support for the work on accountability. 

We are also working on a resolution to address the continuously deteriorating human rights situation in Myanmar.

And fourth, we will present again a resolution on Freedom of Religion or Belief, because everyone, everywhere, should be guaranteed the right to have or not to have, to practice and to manifest a religion or belief, without fear of violence, persecution, or discrimination.

The Council will debate many more situations, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, and other countries. We stand ready to work constructively with all delegations to ensure that the Human Rights Council remains an effective guardian of human rights worldwide. We will therefore also support the efforts of our partners on a number of resolutions, including on the human rights situation in Syria, Iran, South Sudan, and Nicaragua, as well as on thematic resolutions such as protecting Human Rights Defenders or advancing social, economic and cultural rights.

In a Team Europe approach, EU Member States also present initiatives on their own behalf or as part of a group of countries, which include:

• Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
• Situation of human rights in Syrian Arab Republic
• Technical assistance and capacity-building to improve the situation of human rights in Haiti, in connection with a request from the authorities of Haiti for coordinated and targeted international action
• Question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights
• The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
• Cultural rights and the protection of cultural heritage
• Neurotechnology and human rights
• Women, diplomacy and human rights

All statements of the European Union at the Human Rights Council can be found here.