HRC57 - Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

57^thsession

Item 3

Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

EU Statement

Mr. President,

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

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

We thank the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner and his Office for the reports under Item 3. We regret that the Chair of Peace Building Commission was again prevented from briefing the HRC as foreseen in HRC resolution 45/31. Closer cooperation between the HRC and the two other pillars of the United Nations is imperative to allow this Council to fulfil its prevention mandate.

The EU reaffirms its strong and unequivocal opposition to the use of death penaltyin all cases and in all circumstances. We welcome the growing worldwide trend for its abolishment and regret that the number of recorded executions has seen an increase in the last year at the hands of a few retentionist states. The EU calls for an open and transparent debate on the application of the death penalty in all states that have not yet abolished the death penalty and calls on them to establish a moratorium as a first step towards its full abolishment.

A vibrant civic spaceand a safe and enabling environment for civil society and human rights defenders is crucial for the promotion and protection of human rights. The EU remains firmly committed to the protection and promotion of HRDs and an open, vibrant civic space.

We believe that a human-rights based approach is key to address the impacts of climate changeon the full enjoyment of all human rights. The effects of climate change exacerbate existing inequalities, further limiting access to basic rights such as food, water, education, and health care. The EU is committed to pursue its role as a global leader in combatting climate change. At this Council, we are proud to be part of the core group of the resolution renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on climate change and human rights. We underline the contributions of and particular challenges faced by Indigenous Peoplesin the context of climate change, as well as of environmental human rights defenders, emphasizing the need for the global green transition to be just, inclusive and gender-responsive and stress the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples in relevant United Nations bodies, including the meetings of the Human Rights Council, on issues affecting them. We mirror this sentiment when considering the impact of climate change on the full enjoyment of human rights by women and girls, and those of young persons.

As pointed out in the High Commissioner's report, climate change and natural disasters have adverse impacts also on the full enjoyment of the right to education, with girls being disproportionately affected. We reaffirm our strong commitment to respect, protect and fulfil all economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to education by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, with a particular attention to girls' right to education. Education is a human right and a powerful tool for breaking cycles of poverty, empowering women and girls, and fostering inclusive and sustainable development. The EU calls on all states to prioritize gender equality in their education policies and to eliminate gender-based violence and harmful practices that prevent girls from fully exercising their right to education. We also emphasize the EU's steadfast commitment to universal access to safe, sufficient and affordable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.

Human rights are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The EU implements a human rights-based approach in delivering on the 2030 Agenda, anchoring its actions in protecting, respecting and fulfilling human rights. The EU reiterates its stance that the full realisation of all human rights for all is a pre-condition to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. We prioritise those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These include those on the frontlines and those in countries most susceptible to the impacts of climate change. In response to the presented conclusions of the Working Group on the right to development, the EU would like to recall its concerns with the draft text for a legally binding instrument on the right to development. The right to developmentis rooted in the universality, indivisibility, interrelation, and interdependence of all human rights. While States have the primary responsibility for the full realisation of human rights, individuals are the central actors, drivers and beneficiaries of the development process.

I 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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