Delegation of the European Union to Japan

10/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2024 09:39

HRC57 - Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner and the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

57th session

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner and the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement

2 October 2024

EU statement

Madam Chair,

I would like to start by saying that it is with deep regret that we have taken note of the untimely passing of Mrs Mokgoro, the Mechanism's former Chair who played a key role in operationalizing the Mechanism.

The European Union thanks the Expert Mechanism for its latest report on how to fight impunity for the excessive use of force against Africans and people of African descent by law enforcement officials. We agree that impunity fuels further grievances. Victims have the right to be heard. They have a right to justice. The EU's Fundamental Rights Agency recently published a report on "racism in policing" which also puts forward concrete steps for action. These include inter alia ensuring that there is independent oversight and protection for whistle-blowers.

Mr. High Commissioner,

In your report, you explain in a very detailed manner why it is essential for states to apply an intersectional lens when developing policies for combating discrimination. You mention that intersecting forms of discrimination occur when a combination of two or more grounds interact with one another to produce distinct, unique and compounding experiences of discrimination.

Yet, here at the Council, we see a coordinated pushback against the principle of intersectionality. The term is now systematically being opposed, at the Council, as well as in the sessions of the IGWG on the DDPA, the Ad Hoc Committee, and even in the context of the negotiations on the draft UN Declaration on the rights of People of African descent.

Can you explain once again why addressing discrimination should in your opinion involve taking into account intersectionality?

I thank you.