Mr President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia* , the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia align themselves with this declaration.
This Council was created to contribute towards the prevention of human rights violations and to respond promptly to human rights emergencies. One of the tools to help alleviate existing problems is the ability to combine addressing human rights situations with technical assistance and capacity building.
Special rapporteurs and independent experts play a vital role in providing valuable advice to governments as well as suggestions for technical assistance. Country specific mandates thus constitute a useful tool within the UN system to assist states implementing their human rights obligations.
The EU notes that the report on Liberia mentions some progress made, including the establishment of a national human rights commission. The EU believes that continued reporting by the High Commissioner would be valuable.
We would like to call upon the Burundian Government to implement the many positive initiatives it has put forward to address human rights violations and impunity. We thank the Independent Expert for his efforts and of course find it unfortunate that the IE does not report on his useful cooperation with the Government to this Council.
The EU notes with appreciation the dialogue established between the Government of Cambodia and the OHCHR's country office in Cambodia. We also hope that a new cooperation agreement will be signed at an earliest convenience. As to the human rights situation, we would in particular like to encourage the Government of Cambodia to ensure the independence of its judiciary and courts.
Another essential role for technical assistance and capacity-building is played by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The European Union appreciates the number of ways in which OHCHR monitors human rights situations as well as assisting in building the capacity of member states to address human rights issues.
The European Union also welcomes the extension of the mandate of the OHCHR office both in Nepal and in Uganda. Throughout the years of the mandate in Nepal, the OHCHR has worked with national partners to help consolidate peace and strengthen both Nepal’s human rights protection system and the rule of law.
The European Union welcomes the new OHCHR office in Brussels which is going to be inaugurated in October. Through the Brussels office, we look forward to pursuing an intensified dialogue on a broad range of issues with the OHCHR.
The responsibility for fulfilling the rights lies with states alone, but many different actors within society can contribute to strengthening the cause of human rights. We therefore invite all states to cooperate with these actors.
The EU warmly welcomes the general recognition of the important role played by human rights when it comes to securing a better future for the developing world. Accordingly the European Union contributes to technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights by its programme European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights.
Cooperation, technical assistance and capacity-building must be seen as common endeavours where mutual commitment to human rights, democracy and rule of law are prioritized.
Thank you, Mr President.
________________ * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.