HRC57 - Interactive Dialogue on the Secretary General's report on reprisals

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

57^th session

Interactive Dialogue on the Secretary General's report on reprisals

26 September 2024

EU statement

Mr President,

The European Union thanks Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Brands Kehris for her presentation of the report.

The EU strongly condemns any form of intimidation, harassment, and reprisals, both offline and online, and calls on all states to respect and protect anyone or any group who cooperate or seek to cooperate with the UN System. Such acts constitute grave attacks against the essence and proper functioning of the UN system itself.Civil society plays a vital role in informing and shaping UN decisions, enhancing accountability, and promoting inclusive dialogue, all of which are essential for the UN's effectiveness.

We welcome the good practices at national and international levels indicated in the report. We also echo the importance of ensuring civil society organisations access to the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights.

We regret that the number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisal remains high and that new tendencies identified in previous reports are now commonplace - for instance self-censorship and online and offline surveillance. The EU is also concerned by acts of intimidation and reprisals against women, includingwomen peacebuilders', as well as targeting young people and Indigenous Peoples.

Ms Brands Kehris,

Is there any other way to publish those cases which have been taken out of the report at the request of the persons concerned without putting them in danger?

Thank you.

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