EU priorities for the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council

From 24 February to 13 March 2020 the EU will participate actively in the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC43) taking place in Geneva, taking a strong stance in the protection and promotion of Human Rights and against any attempts to redefine human rights in international law and international human rights standards.

At the upcoming session, the EU will present the following resolutions: 

The EU-led resolution on the human rights situation in the DPRK aims at keeping this dire situation, which continues to take a heavy toll on the population, high on the HRC agenda. The regime must immediately end human rights violations, rapidly improve all human rights, and engage with the UN Human Rights System. The EU therefore will  continue to support  the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, as well as the accountability project implemented by the Seoul Office of the OHCHR.

The human rights situation in Myanmar remains of grave concern and it is important that the Council continues to speak on this matter with a strong voice. A resolution will be presented on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

The EU will continue to promote the protection and fulfilment of the human rights of all children, particularly those in vulnerable situations. To this end, the EU, together with the Group of Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC), will present a resolution to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children.

The EU will also address dire human rights situations, engaging strongly in negotiations on resolutions on Syria, Libya, South Sudan, and Nicaragua, and in dialogues on Burundi, Iran, Yemen, Venezuela, Eritrea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this context, we also recall that all UN members, in particular members of the HRC, should uphold the highest human rights standards and fully cooperate with the HRC and its mechanisms. At HRC43 the EU will also engage in the interactive dialogue on Ukraine.

The full and meaningful participation of civil society actors and human rights defenders, at the UN Human Rights Council and beyond, remains a strong priority for the EU. At this Council session, we will continue to strongly support the protection of human rights defenders and promote NGO participation in the Council.

In the year of the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and women’s full enjoyment of human rights, without discrimination on any grounds, which will also be the main focus of the high-level panel debate of the Good Human Rights Stories Initiative(link is external). The EU will also co-organize a side event on freedom of religion and belief and gender; and co-sponsor an event to promote child rights entitled “Digital Child Dignity”.

Eamon Gilmore, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, will deliver the EU statement on behalf of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at the high-level segment of the Human Rights Council. He will also represent the EU at two high-level panels, participate at the Good Human Rights Stories Initiative event and meet with several dignitaries attending the session.

More information

News 

Delegation of the European Union to the UN