**UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL**
**58th Session**
**(24 February – 4 April 2025)**
**Geneva, 1 April 2025**
**HRC58 Item 10 General debate on Technical assistance and capacity-building**
**EU Statement**
Mister President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania\*, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and the EFTA country Liechtenstein, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.
With regard to the situations in **Mali, Haiti, Ukraine, DRC, South Sudan and CAR**, we would like to refer to our statements during the respective interactive dialogues.
The EU welcomes **Georgia’s** ongoing cooperation with the OHCHR and its commitment to engage with UN human rights mechanisms. At the same time the EU strongly condemns any acts of violence against peaceful protesters, media representatives and politicians in **Georgia**. We call on the authorities of Georgia to uphold the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, to end widespread intimidation, political persecution, reported torture and ill-treatment. We also call to investigate all acts of violence and to hold to account those responsible. The EU reiterates its concerns with respect to the adoption of laws incompatible with EU norms and values. The EU is strongly concerned about their effects on human rights in Georgia and reminds Georgia of its obligations under international law. The EU strongly encourages Georgia to implement OSCE/ODIHR and Council of Europe bodies’ recommendations. The EU reiterates its support for Georgia’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We continue to be seriously concerned about the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the occupied breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The EU regrets the continued lack of access of the OHCHR and UN human rights mechanisms to Abkhazia and South Ossetia and urges access to be granted without further delay.
The EU is closely following developments in **Bangladesh**, and is committed to supporting Bangladesh’s democratic transition and reform process. The EU welcomes the public commitments made by the interim government to ensure a peaceful and inclusive transition, underpinned by good governance, democratic values, and respect for human rights. We welcome ongoing efforts to ensure justice and accountability for human rights violations. While accountability is essential, it is equally important that persons facing legal proceedings and detention are treated according to international standards. Violence and reprisals must be avoided and the rule of law, due process and the right to a fair trial must be upheld in all cases. We also welcome the interim government’s cooperation with the OHCHR and call for the implementation of the recommendations on reforms made in the OHCHR fact-finding report. The human rights of all in Bangladesh should be respected. The EU welcomes the interim government’s commitment to hold democratic elections, and urges all parties to work together to restore public trust in the electoral process.
The EU acknowledges with appreciation the constructive engagement by the **Philippines** on human rights, including with the international community, following the conclusion of the UN Joint Programme in July 2024. The EU welcomes steps taken toward accountability, and calls for redoubling efforts, but notes that concerns still persist. It remains necessary to further strengthen domestic efforts for justice and reform. The EU strongly encourages the Government of the Philippines to continue working towards completing all the objectives of the UN Joint Programme, ensuring a leading role for the Philippines Commission on Human Rights and close participation by civil society including in the work of the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination. Furthermore, we call on the Philippine government to publish the 4th Human Rights Action Plan as soon as possible. The EU remains ready to support the Philippines in its efforts ahead.
The EU appreciates **Cambodia’s** continued cooperation with the Human Rights mechanisms and emphasizes the crucial role of the Special Rapporteur in monitoring the human rights situation in the country. However, the EU’s concerns about the continuous constraints on the implementation of civil and political rights have grown. We condemn the detention, prosecution and imprisonment of dozens of political dissidents, human rights and environmental activists. Journalists, members of the opposition and of non-governmental organizations and labour rights groups that criticize the authorities are increasingly being harassed arrested and charged with “incitement”, sometimes even for social media posts. We call on the Government of Cambodia to expeditiously release persons detained for political reasons and to open up the space for political pluralism and inclusivity.
The EU is following closely developments in **Kenya**, particularly related to the freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly and association which are essential components of democracy and firmly rooted in the Kenyan constitution. The EU notes with concern reports of abductions and disappearances within Kenya and with a regional/cross-border dimension. The EU encourages reforms aimed at improving governance, transparency and accountability and welcomes the Kenyan government’s openness to work with OHCHR.
Thank you.
\*North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.