Joint Statements during the 56th session of the Human Rights Council
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 2: Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
Joint statement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of a group of countries
18 June 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honor to deliver this statement, derived from the statements of the recent co-chairs of the Arab/OIC-European Contact Group Meetings, on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Norway, and a group of states.
We stress the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire including an end to attacks on Rafah, the release of hostages, and ending the war in Gaza. We emphasize respect and compliance with international law and express our utmost concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We welcome the UN Security Council Resolution 2735 and stress the urgency of ending the Gaza crisis and all unlawful actions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Mr. President,
We underline the significance of transitioning the conflict to a political track to reach a final and speedy resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and strongly support taking irreversible steps to implement the two-state solution, in line with international law and agreed upon parameters, including United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
We urge taking concrete steps towards the realization of a Palestinian State in the context of the two-state solution, with particular attention to empowering and enabling the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian reforms, and we underline that mutual recognition will promote moderation and peace in the region, at the expense of violence and extremism.
We stress the urgent need for political and financial support to the Palestinian Government and we highlight the significance of having a unified Palestinian Government for the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
In conclusion, we call upon the international community to join us in these efforts to secure peace, security and cooperation in the region and beyond.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 2: Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel
Joint statement by the Chile on behalf of a group of countries
19 June 2024
Mr. President,
Chile presents this joint statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of countries.
We express profound concern regarding the harrowing situation unfolding in Gaza.
Respect for international law is essential to safeguard a rules-based order, peace and security. Its disregard threatens its effectiveness and ability to protect all persons equally.
Mr. President,
All UN members have undertaken to comply with the decisions of the ICJ, in any case to which they are party, including provisional measures. The ICJ’s provisional measures of 24 May ordered Israel to” immediately halt its military offensive, and any other action in the Rafah Governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian groupo in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part. Nevertheless, military operations persist. Once more, we urge the full implementation of all provisional measures.
In our collective endeavour to ensure accountability, we also call on all States to cooperate with the ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court, and to ensure that all officials of the Court can work with full independence and impartiality, free from any threats and sanctions.
We call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the unhindered provision of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, and urge all parties to engage in a constructive dialogue that leads to lasting peace by enabling the two-state solution, in line with relevant UN resolutions.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on SOGI
Joint statement by the SOGI Group of Friends
20 June 2024
Mr. President,
The members of SOGI group of Friends would like to thank the Independent Expert for this report.
While we welcome the inclusion of positive developments, including steps to protect against hate speech, violence and discrimination based on SOGI and the passage of non-discrimination laws addressing SOGI around expression, assembly and association; the report documents a discernible trend in all regions of the world of laws, policies and practices that restrict the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, including in the digital space.
We are extremely concerned about the finding at least 60 Members State have laws that restrict the right to freedom of expression, and at least 59 States have laws that restrict, or could be used to restrict, the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
We welcome the recommendations made by the Expert in this report, that align with HRC Resolution 50/10 which renewed this mandate, that stresses States’ responsibility to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment in which civil society, including civil society working SOGI issues, can operate free from hindrance and insecurity, both online and offline.
The work of this mandate is pivotal to support initiatives to ensure LGBT and gender-diverse people live free from inequality, including when it comes to access to civic space. In this regard, we would like to ask what role we can play to support the development laws, policies and practices aimed at fulfilling the rights of all to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, including in the digital space?
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls
Joint statement by the United States of America on behalf of a group of countries
21 June 2024
Mr. President,
At the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, we come together as a collective voice to address the pervasive and harrowing issue of gender-based violence in conflict zones. The United States, alongside a cross-regional group of over 60 countries, reaffirms their unwavering commitment to ending these violations and abuses and supporting victims, survivors and witnesses.
We recognize that conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence remains a devastating tactic used in times of war by state and non-state actors, particularly against all women and girls. This violence not only causes immediate and long-lasting physical and mental trauma to survivors and their communities but also undermines human rights, peace, security, and development in affected regions, as recognized by UN Security Council resolution 1820 and additional related resolutions.
We stress the paramount importance of strengthening prevention measures, and believing survivors and first-hand accounts by witnesses. Their testimonies are crucial in shedding light on these heinous acts and holding perpetrators accountable. Survivors often face stigmatization and disbelief, which further exacerbates their suffering and hinders their access to justice.
As an international community, we must strengthen our efforts in taking a survivor-centered and trauma-informed approach to investigate allegations of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, facilitate access to justice and accountability for victims and survivors, and provide comprehensive support to survivors, including sexual and reproductive health services, psycho-social support, and legal assistance. In this regard, we emphasize the need for focused direct engagement from special procedures mandate holders and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to promote prevention and response efforts, encourage the provision of needed support for survivors, and address the increased prevalence of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence and other practices that further compound survivors’ suffering.
We call on all member states to join us in this urgent endeavor. Let us work together to create a world free from conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence as a tactic of war, and where victims and survivors are heard, believed, and empowered. By doing so, we uphold the principles of justice and human rights, which are the foundation of the Human Rights Council.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression
Joint statement by the United States of America on behalf of a group of countries
26 June 2024
Mr. President,
I make this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of countries.
We stand together today to address the urgent and growing threat of transnational repression. When states reach beyond their borders to silence or coerce dissidents, journalists, human rights defenders, and others, national sovereignty, democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms are undermined.
Transnational repression takes many forms: physical acts of aggression and harassment, forced return of individuals, pressure on relatives in-country, misuse of international law enforcement systems or institutions to facilitate repression, and digital threats such as the misuse of intrusive surveillance software, including commercial spyware.
Transnational repression creates an atmosphere of fear and imperils civil and political liberties, the global rules-based order, and mutual respect among states.
We reaffirm our condemnation of transnational repression and resolve to:
• Support human rights defenders, journalists, diaspora communities, and others who may be targets;
• Strengthen information sharing and coordinating action against acts of transnational repression; and
• Increase the cost to and holding accountable those who engage in these acts. We call upon all member states to join us in standing against transnational repression in all its forms.
Let us enhance our collective vigilance, strengthen protections for those at risk, and hold accountable the perpetrators. United in this cause, we will advance the promotion and protection of human rights for all and uphold the sovereignty of every nation.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
Joint statement by Lithuania on behalf of a group of countries
27 June 2024
Mr. President,
I deliver this statement on behalf of a group of 35 countries and my own, Lithuania.
We echo the concern expressed by the High Commissioner in his global update regarding recent developments in Georgia, and particularly the adoption of the so-called “transparency of foreign influence” law. This law poses a serious threat to civil society, human rights and the rule of law in Georgia.
The law is intended to have a chilling effect on the work of media outlets, human rights defenders, and civil society organisations, with the aim of silencing their voices.
The law was passed in disregard for concerns of large parts of the Georgian people and despite repeated calls to refrain from advancing the legislation from the international community, including the Venice Commission’s detailed legal arguments.
We urge the Georgian government to revoke the “transparency of foreign influence” law, to end the campaign of intimidation against those objecting to the law and protect freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
Civil society is the backbone of democracies, helping to ensure accountability, genuine transparency and resilience to malign influences.
We urge the Georgian Government to fully cease and transparently investigate all acts of the use of force against peaceful protesters who oppose the law, take appropriate action to ensure the safety of protestors, civil society or opposition activists, journalists and other media workers and refrain from rhetoric which could further fuel the extreme polarization in the country. An orchestrated campaign of defamation, intimidation, and physical violence against civil society leaders and others is unacceptable and must be halted.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls
Joint statement by Algeria on behalf of a group of countries
27 June 2024
Mr. President,
I deliver this statement on behalf of Algeria and Australia and a cross-regional group of states.
We stand together in our commitment to women’s and girl’s homen rights, and express our regret at the lack of progress on SDG5.
Next year we mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 25th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. And we will be five years out from delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals. We must counter regression and accelerate progress on achieving gender equality.
The empowerment of all women and girls is central to human rights, sustainable development, peace and security, as well as the resilience and prosperity of our communities and countries.
In delivering on our longstanding commitment to gender equality we must continue to take action to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, strengthen women’s public and political participation, ensure access to essential health and social services, and invest in women’s and girls’ education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
By working inclusively and collaboratively, we can protect and promote the human rights of all women and girls, everywhere. We welcome cooperation across the global community in resisting regression in favour of societies that are safe, secure and supportive of every person, today and for future generations.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
Joint statement by the Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of Benelux and a group of countries
28 June 2024
Mr. President,
I deliver this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of 70 countries.
Human rights defenders are leaders of positive change. Their work is crucial in promoting and protecting human rights and democracy worldwide. Their grassroot views inform decision-making and enable UN entities to effectively implement their mandates.
An enabling environment for human rights defenders that guarantees the fulfilment of the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, opinion and expression is essential in driving positive change. In practice, however, HRDs face numerous challenges and their work is too often neglected, ignored or willfully obstructed. Their progress and achievements are too rarely honored properly.
This statement is meant to pay tribute to the many successes and milestones achieved by all human rights defenders.
Through their persistent peaceful advocacy and engagement, HRDs have shed light on human rights violations, amplified the voices of persons in vulnerable situations, and fostered greater accountability and transparency worldwide. Their work has led to positive legislative changes, the release of those arbitrarily detained, and protected the environment.
The voices of HRDs must be heard. Emphasizing their positive impact and honoring their successes is essential in supporting them.
Special Rapporteur, how do you envision to include the effective promotion and protection of human rights defenders within your mandate?
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 3: Annual discussion on women’s rights
Joint statement by Kyrgyzstan on behalf of a group of countries
28 June 2024
Mr. President,
This joint statement is on behalf of a group of states.
Gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girl are enshrined in several human rights treaties and are key to progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Yet economic empowerment remains a distant goal for millions of women and girls around the world. One in ten women live in extreme poverty, and more than 2.7 billion women face legal restrictions that prevent them from accessing the same job opportunities as men. In addition, many countries still have laws constraining women’s decision to work.
For women to have full agency, power and autonomy, and enjoy human rights fully without discrimination of any kind, states should ensure that women have equal access to, control over and ownership of resources. It is also essential to address the structural and non-structural barriers that limit women’s economic empowerment.
As a priority, we should:
- Address and eliminate institutional and structural discrimination against women and girls.
- Remove all barriers that prevent or limit the full, equal and meaningful participation of all women and girls in society.
- Address harmful social norms and legal constraints that limit women’s agency in the public and private spheres and their economic independence.
We are committed to making further progress on women’s economic empowerment and to achieve gender equality by 2030.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change
Joint statement by Costa Rica on behalf of a group of countries
2 July 2024
Mr. President,
I deliver this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of countries.
The ocean is one single interconnected body of water, which unites, sustains, connects and is essential for the survival of ecosystems, people and communities.
We acknowledge that a healthy ocean is instrumental for the full enjoyment of a variety of human rights, including the rights to life, health, work, food and housing. Many Indigenous Peoples, as well as local communities, have cultural practices and traditions that are deeply connected to the ocean.
We are deeply concerned about the current and projected adverse effects of climate change on the marine environment and ecosystems and emphasize the urgency of addressing these to protect the human rights of all those impacted.
We call on this Council to advocate for the implementation, with due consideration for all human rights, of the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and relevant decisions of the conferences of the Parties, particularly in actions related to the ocean.
Madame Special Rapporteur,
We believe your mandate has a lot to offer to highlight the links between ocean health, climate change, and human rights, and to educate governments, civil society, and the private sector, on the human rights implications of ocean degradation and climate change. Could you please share any of your plans in this respect?
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria
Joint statement by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on behalf of a group of countries
3 July 2024
Mr. President,
This statement is on behalf of 54 countries.
We commend the Commission of Inquiry’s continued work in shining light on large-scale, systematic, and arbitrary or unjust detentions and related violences and abuses. This, together with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism, is crucial for ensuring accountability.
We deplore the fact that tens of thousands of Syrians are estimated to have been subjected to arbitrary and incommunicado detention. Torture and other ill-treatment, including sexual and gender-based violence, have been reported on an alarming scale, and continue to this day. We strongly condemn all deaths, torture and abuse of detainees in detention facilities, particularly in Syrian government facilities. We recall the Commission’s clear assessment that the rights of detained persons have not been respected throughout the conflict.
Tens of thousands of families continue to live with the anguish caused by not knowing the whereabouts of their loved ones. Cooperation, by all parties to the conflict, with the newly created Independent Institution on Missing Persons is also essential.
Mr. President,
The Syrian regime and all parties must cease such practices; release unjustly detained Syrians; clarify the fate of the missing; ensure appropriate access for independent and humanitarian monitoring organizations and hold those responsible to account.
Finally, we reiterate our call for a sustainable and comprehensive political solution for Syria in line with the Security Council Resolution 2254.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 10: Interactive dialogue on oral presentation of the High Commissioner on Ukraine and interim report of the Secretary General on human rights in Crimea
Joint statement by Denmark on behalf of the GoF AAU
9 July 2024
Mr. President,
I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the 'Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine'.
We condemn Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, including the latest wave of strikes destroying hospitals, killing dozens of civilians. A war that causes immense human suffering and violates international law, including the UN Charter.
Russia’s depravity in its treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war is well-documented in the OHCHR’s latest report. We are appalled by the report’s evidence of Russia’s use of torture, including sexual and gender-based violence, against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees. We call on all parties to ensure that survivors receive assistance, including in the form of psychosocial support, rehabilitation measures and reparations.
We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the Ukrainian OSCE Special Monitoring staff who Russia has been unjustly detaining for more than 800 days, despite repeated calls for their release.
Mr. President,
Russia shows no intention of holding perpetrators to account. On March 23rd, President Putin signed into force a new law expanding the exemption from criminal accountability for members of Russia’s armed forces, creating a climate of impunity. Dignity and justice must be restored for the countless victims of Russia’s aggression and those responsible must be held to account
We welcome the work of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the reporting of the Commission of Inquiry, and UN Special Procedures mandate holders, the investigations by the International Criminal Court, the operationalization of both the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression and the Register of Damage for Ukraine, and the work of the Core Group towards a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
High Commissioner, what can we do to support the investigation and documentation of cases of transferred or deported children and torture against POWs and civilian prisoners, to help ensure future accountability for its perpetrators?
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 9: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
Joint statement by the European Union on behalf of a group of countries
8 July 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this joint statement on behalf of the 27 EU Member States, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
We are reacting to the statement on behalf of the Russian Federation delivered by a representative of the so-called administration in the territory of Ukraine temporarily controlled by Russia.
We recall the relevant UNGA resolution(s) [A/RES/76/179, A/RES/77/229 /A/RES/78/221/ A/RES/ES-11/4] which recognise(s) the status of this territory as an integral part of Ukraine.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters. We reiterate our strongest condemnation of Russia’s aggression and its attempts to acquire Ukraine’s territory by force in flagrant violation of international law, including the UN Charter. We firmly and unequivocally reject, do not and will never recognize the attempted illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's regions of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
We therefore urge Russia to refrain from letting any representative of the so-called administration in the territories of Ukraine temporarily controlled by Russia intervene on its behalf within the Human Rights Council, or in any other international fora.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council – 56th session
Item 1: Decisions and conclusions
Joint statement by Bangladesh on behalf of a group of countries
12 July 2024
Mr. President,
We acknowledge the commitment and support the efforts of many States to improve the efficiency of this Council. When we are more efficient, we can achieve more with less. We can be more inclusive; all States, particularly small island developing states and least developed countries, can engage and have a voice. Greater efficiency creates spaces to allow states to work outside their regional groupings and to identify issues that unite rather than divide.
In a Presidential statement last year, all member states agreed that to avoid duplication and inefficiency, and to limit the number of meetings held during each session, states must consult each other and relevant core groups and seek technical support of the Secretariat when drafting resolutions [A/HRC/PRST/OS/17/1].
All member states also agreed that to further support efficiency efforts, the Secretariat should be encouraged to provide briefings on rules of procedure and on best practice in drafting of resolutions and on using the voluntary calendar ahead of each session [A/HRC/PRST/OS/17/1].
We recommit to these actions on efficiency and striving for best practice in the Council. Let us turn these words into actions and allow the OHCHR to direct its limited resources towards supporting states to better implement UPR, Treaty Body and Special Procedures recommendations, and comply with their international human rights obligations.
I thank you.