Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and the Aceeding Countries Bulgaria and Romania.
The EU welcomes this opportunity for an exchange of views on questions of particular importance in the field of human rights. It is clear that in this debate today and the time allotted we can touch upon only very few issues. We are therefore very much looking forward to hearing all the reports of Special Procedures and the Secretariat at our next session in September allowing for a comprehensive debate on the many issues before us.
The role of human rights defenders in the protection and promotion of human rights is an issue that requires careful and permanent attention of the Human Rights Council. The unanimously adopted UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders is our basis. The European Union pays tribute to the role and courage of human rights defenders and expresses its sincere admiration for the invaluable contribution they make to advancing respect for human rights worldwide. They also play a central role by providing insights and information to the Human Rights Council.
A strong civil society is essential for a state’s sustainable development. Civil society can ensure that the needs of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society are taken into account, ensuring their voices are heard. This is essential for a climate of inclusion and socio-economic progress.
We warmly welcome the progress made in many states where civil society is vibrant and freedom is being consolidated. At the same time we are concerned about reported intimidation, harassment, threats and detention of human rights defenders in many countries. Restrictions on freedom of expression, including on the internet, limit their ability to speak out on behalf of victims. In several countries, governments are also introducing or amending legislation and policies negatively affecting the work of NGOs. Some countries use the criminal justice system to curtail the activities of human rights defenders. The European Union raises these issues with the countries concerned in an ongoing manner, and, where appropriate, publicises these contacts more widely.
It is vital that efforts are taken to improve the conditions in which human rights defenders work. The European Union calls on all states to undertake all necessary measures to establish a safe environment to enable human rights defenders to continue their important work.
We have raised the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories already at the Friday session with the High Commissioner. We call on both parties to fulfil their obligations under human rights and humanitarian law. The EU calls on Israel to comply wholeheartedly with the Fourth Geneva Convention. We urge both parties to fulfil their responsibility to protect civilian lives. We are concerned at the negative impact the continued settlement activities, the construction of the barrier on Palestinian land and restrictions on movement and access have on the human rights of the Palestinian population.
While we recognize Israel´s right to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks, we underline that Israel is obliged to exercise this right within the limits of international law. We urge both sides to make every possible effort to guarantee that the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in an environment where their protection from armed attack and the enjoyment of their fundamental civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights are assured.
The EU welcomes the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement and calls on the remaining party to join. The EU will work with others for the full and early implementation of the Agreement as a precondition for lasting peace and security in Darfur and an end to the suffering of millions of people in Darfur. The European Union reiterates the concerns regarding the gross and systematic human rights and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Darfur raised in our discussion with the High Commissioner. We urge all parties to take necessary steps to protect the civilian population, including women and girls, and to end and prevent further such violations.
We repeat our call on the Government of Sudan to end impunity. The EU reiterates its full support for the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of human rights abuses in Darfur as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) and urges all parties, in particular the Government of Sudan, to fully cooperate with the ICC.
The European Union deeply regrets the decision of the Burmese government to extend the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and therefore reiterates its call on the Burmese government to release her and all the other estimated 1,150 political prisoners. The EU calls on the Burmese authorities to implement without delay the so-called moratorium on forced labour announced at the 95th ILO Conference and to establish a bilateral mechanism to deal with complaints on forced labour, as requested in the conclusions of the Conference. The EU supports UN efforts to help Burma/Myanmar to engage all political and ethnic forces of the country in a genuine dialogue with a view to bringing about true national reconciliation and the establishment of democracy.
The EU attaches great importance to promoting greater tolerance and to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred.
The EU is ready to continue to engage with all interested delegations on these matters and to enter into a constructive and genuine dialogue rooted in mutual respect and understanding, building upon the ongoing work in other fora, in particular UNESCO, the Barcelona process, the ASEM process, and the Alliance of Civilizations. We have also launched practical initiatives aimed at civil society, including the media and young people.
Any dialogue and action on the issue should be based on and reaffirm the equal promotion and protection of all human rights, including freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, in all their aspects.
Terrorism is itself a threat to our system of values based on the rule of law. The EU firmly believes that successfully combating terrorism and respect for human rights are mutually reinforcing. The fight against terrorism must, therefore, be carried out with full respect for human rights, international humanitarian law and refugee law. Nobody must be in a legal vacuum. The prohibition of torture and inhuman, cruel and degrading treatment and punishment is and must remain absolute.
The EU attaches priority to enhancing cooperation on migration with third countries of origin and transit and has developed a holistic approach to migration.
The EU recognises the importance of the forthcoming UN High Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development and the need for integrating the development and human rights aspects of migration in a coherent manner.
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