Mr President,Madam High Commissioner,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia* , the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.
The European Union wishes to thank you for your statement and reaffirm our support for you. We again express out appreciation over the independent and proactive manner in which your Office discharges its duties. We support your request to States to reflect on how to strengthen the generally overstretched treaty body system, and hope that you will allocate sufficient resources to allow the Treaty Bodies to perform fully the important job assigned to them.
Madam High Commissioner,
The EU greatly appreciates your substantive organisational support to this Council and to its subsidiary bodies and mechanisms. We also commend your increased support provided to Member States in the UPR process for the implementation of human rights commitments and recommendations.
The continued engagement of OHCHR with civil society organisations is essential to promote the realisation of human rights for all.
The EU finds it imperative to safeguard the role played by all Special Procedures mandate holders in monitoring, advising and publicly reporting on serious human rights situations and thematic issues. The EU encourages your Office and this Council to continue to provide sufficient support to the work of the Special Procedures, which is one of the most vital core functions of this Council.
The EU joins you in highlighting the need to hold perpetrators responsible, in accordance with international obligations, in order to end the culture of impunity, establish the rule of law, and safeguard human rights.
The EU warmly welcomes your focus on human rights defenders. The voices of courageous people in all countries are crucial element in our efforts to improve the human rights situation around the world, and we must all strive to let their voices be heard.
The EU echoes your declaration that the grounds for discrimination are many and multifaceted. No human being should face human rights violations on any ground. This principle should also guide your Office when dealing with the sensitive issue of discrimination against persons based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The EU would like to commend you, High Commissioner, for your participation in the panel on this subject in the margins of the June session. Let me also reaffirm our commitment to the fight against racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
As you mentioned in your statement, the dire situation of civilians in armed conflicts in many parts of the world is very worrying. Respect for and protection of the civilian population must be ensured at all times and by all parties.
The EU shares your concern, Madam High Commissioner, about migrants and refugees who risk their lives and safety crossing borders in search of a better life. Migration and asylum policies must comply with international law. Concrete legal and policy actions have to be taken by all parties concerned.
The EU is also deeply sensitive to the protection of human rights of Roma people, and persons belonging to Sinti and Travellers communities. EU countries are determined to fight against all forms of discrimination and any acts of violence affecting them as well as to improve their living conditions.
You mention many countries in your statement, and you give us all a rightful reminder that no country in the world is without human rights violations. Of course, the existence in a country of legal remedies, accountable political leadership, freedom of the press and other such fundamental principles of international human rights law make a difference in addressing any violations.
We note with special alarm the situation for human rights in Iran, Burma/Myanmar, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. These countries have put limitations on the freedom of expression. We repeat our call for Iran to release those detained for participating in peaceful protest and urge the Government to investigate allegations of abuse suffered by those in detention.
You are entrusted with the principal responsibility for the human rights activities of the UN, and the European Union reiterates its support to you and your Office.
Thank you.
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* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.