UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

57^th session

Item 8

General debate on the follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

EU Statement

Thank you, Mr. President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The candidate countries Türkiye, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia align themselves with this statement.

With the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action (VDPA), all States reaffirmed that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. The VDPA reiterates that human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all human beings and calls upon States not to create a hierarchy of rights. The universal nature of these rights and freedoms belong to our common humanity. It is the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights. This fundamental principle of the international human rights architecture is of utmost relevance.

In an international environment marked by the rise of armed conflicts, of authoritarianism and of the narrative around so-called "sensitivities" and relativist arguments, these accomplishments are at risk. Protecting long-established rights in light of historical revisionism, disinformation and the use of military force instead of diplomacy is a struggle. These challenges disproportionately affect the most vulnerable: women, children, and persons with disabilities-whose rights are often the first to be violated. Yet, without realizing human rights for all, there can be no lasting peace and no lasting security.

The European Union is committed to upholding the universality of human rights and advance the promotion and protection of human rights across the world. Today more than ever before, we must emphasize that the universal character of human rights is not subject to negotiation - attempts to relativize or challenge it are unacceptable. We can only move forward on our common commitment to human rights if we deliver on the standards the international community has set itself in the VDPA, the UDHR, the Human Rights Covenants and other treaties.

As we have all agreed with the Pact for the Future to create a path towards a tomorrow of peace, development, equality and justice, human rights will guide us on our walk through it, based on agreed standards, principles, and universal values.

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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