Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The following countries align themselves with this statement:
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, Serbia, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia.
The EU is fully committed to the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and will continue to firmly address human rights violations and to support and cooperate with all international and regional human rights mechanisms working to achieve the enjoyment by all individuals of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
These past sixty years have seen the establishment of a wide-ranging, broadly encompassing normative framework, which, following from the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, has articulated and enshrined human rights as universal legal entitlements.
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of CEDAW, the twenty-fifth anniversary of CAT, and twentieth anniversary of CRC. The EU would like to use this occasion to urge for determined action in implementing these landmark conventions.
This development has meant deeper and better understanding and a critical shift in the way the global community regards human rights. The following considerations are central: that human rights are universal and indivisible; that the obligation to respect and enforce human rights rests on states as duty bearers and that serious human rights violations call for firm action in response. Human rights principles are not abstract legal concepts to be deployed as political tools but are safeguards that are vital to ensure that all individuals all over the world can enjoy their rights and freedoms. Much remains to be done to ensure that the principles are translated into practice.
The EU firmly believes in tolerance, non-discrimination and freedom of expression, thought, conscience, and freedom of religion or belief. These are the foundations on which the EU is based and to which its Member States are committed.
The EU is pleased to note that an increasing number of countries across the world have abolished the death penalty from their national legislation. The abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. The EU welcomes the abolition of the death penalty in Togo and Burundi during the past year.
However, the number of executions has increased in some states during the past year. This is a matter of deep concern. The state, as the ultimate guarantor of human rights, must not deprive anyone of his or her life. Moreover, we must remind ourselves that any miscarriage or failure of justice in the application of capital punishment represents the irreparable and irreversible loss of human lives. The European Union underlines that the efforts to abolish the death penalty must continue and calls on all countries which still retain the death penalty to move to the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances.
A broad range of partners from different regions supported the resolutions at the General Assembly against the death penalty. The EU looks forward to continued cooperation ahead of next year’s consideration of this issue.
Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are fundamental to democracy and human rights. The EU believes that all governments have a duty to eliminate barriers to freedom of expression and information. This is particularly relevant for the media, which has a key role in scrutinizing government actions, and for human rights defenders, whose duty it is to expose human rights abuses. The EU emphasizes the crucial importance of media plurality for the enjoyment of freedom of expression and of the media.
One challenge is the increasing recourse by states to restrictions on the use of new technologies such as the Internet, which undermines the potential these technologies have to promote the freedom of expression. Limitations to freedom of expression on the internet and in relation to new technologies should only be permitted in accordance with human rights obligations on the freedom of opinion and expression as laid down in the ICCPR, including article 19.
The EU reaffirms the strong position it gives to the protection of human rights defenders, and the promotion of their work, which it considers invaluable to furthering the cause of human rights worldwide. The continued violence and harassment suffered by human rights defenders in all regions of the world, including in reprisal for engaging with the UN human rights system, is very disturbing. The EU will pay particular attention to the situation of those human rights defenders who are most vulnerable to violence and harassment, including women human rights defenders and those who defend the rights of LGBT persons. Let us constantly remind ourselves that individuals who are ready to speak up for human rights will always deserve our strongest protection and support.
Let me reiterate the EU's firm stance regarding the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. International law does not allow for any exception whatsoever to the prohibition of torture. In this sense, the EU urges all states that have not yet done so to become parties to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of this Convention, allow me to reiterate the importance of this instrument and its wide ratification, which already counts 146 state parties. I also call on all States parties to comply strictly with their obligations under the Convention.
The EU welcomes the presentation of the first reports by the Committee against Torture and the Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture to this year’s General Assembly. We note with satisfaction the increasing number of States parties to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, and express our support for the Sub-Committee’s work.
The EU firmly believes in the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief. During this Assembly, the EU will, as in previous years, present a resolution on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. As before, we will strive to achieve consensus on this important issue.
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion applies equally to individuals whose religion or belief may not have been traditionally practised in a particular country, those belonging to religious minorities, as well as theistic, non-theistic and atheistic individuals. It is intrinsically linked to the right of freedom of opinion and expression. Freedom of opinion and expression is necessary to create pluralist, tolerant, broad-minded and democratic societies.
Regrettably, discrimination based on religion or belief still exists in all regions of the world and needs to be tackled by States in line with their international obligations. We are seriously concerned about instances where authorities have propagated misinformation about particular religious groups or communities which has led to instances of violence against individuals in those communities. Tolerance and understanding should be the cornerstone of a democratic society.
Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are problems facing all societies and all countries throughout the world. The European Union is well aware of the problems facing our own region. Combating racism and discrimination is a priority for the European Union.
The European Union also believes that further efforts are needed to ensure better implementation of economic, social and cultural rights. As Member States respond to the global financial crisis, the key human rights challenge is to ensure that the current economic difficulties are not allowed to undermine human rights protection. We urge parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to implement fully the obligations in this key instrument, and to cooperate with UN special procedures. The EU will continue to push for implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, and to work for the integration of a human rights perspective in the important development efforts of the UN.
The principle of non-discrimination is also of great importance to the European Union. No individual should be subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex, age, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity in the exercise of their human rights. In this regard, we would like to voice our concern about the discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity which is prevalent worldwide, including within our own region. The European Union calls on all states to decriminalise same sex relationships, and to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered people. The EU reiterates its full support for the declaration on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity which was read in the General Assembly in December of last year on behalf of 67 Member States and calls on all states to promote and protect the human rights of all persons and to ensure that individuals are not subjected to discrimination in the exercise of their human rights. Mr. Chairman,
The European Union encourages the international community to further strengthen our commitment to effectively promote and protect human rights and their implementation in all our countries. A wide gap continues to exist between the promise of human rights and their reality in the lives of the people on the ground. Making all human rights a reality for everyone remains a challenge. But making them a reality is not only possible, but is also our responsibility. The European Union takes this responsibility very seriously. * Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.