UN Human Rights Council

60^th session – Item 3

L.5 – Explanation of vote

Resolution on the right to development

EU Explanation of vote

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU Member States that are members of the Human Rights Council. This explanation of vote has been agreed by the EU as a whole.

The EU promotes a human rights-based approach to inclusive and sustainable development, which is reflected in our development policy and cooperation. We work towards achieving sustainable development, the non-discriminatory realisation of all human rights, eradicating poverty in all its dimensions, tackling discrimination and inequalities, and leaving no one behind. 

The EU and its Member States remain the world’s largest official development assistance donor. We inter alia strive to support our partner countries in realizing human rights obligations, which in turn facilitates rights-holders claiming their rights.

Mr. President,

The realisation of the right to development must be rooted in the universal, indivisible, interrelated, and interdependent nature of all human rights. While States have the primary responsibility for the realisation of all human rights, every individual person must be always and everywhere recognized as rights holder. 

The EU thanks Uganda for leading, on behalf of the NAM, inclusive informal consultations. We participated constructively to ensure that the text aligns with the principle of universality of human rights, with individuals as rights-holders and States as duty-bearers. We appreciate frank and respectful exchanges of views as well as Uganda’s efforts to maintain a constructive and inclusive dialogue.

Mr President, 

The EU analyses an HRC resolution based on its merits and makes proposals aimed at reaching consensus. During negotiations the EU raised serious concerns with the text that, inter alia, interferes with the OHCHR’s independence. Despite diverging views on the right to development, particularly on a draft legally binding instrument, the EU will continue engaging constructively.

While we sincerely appreciate that some of our suggestions were partly reflected in the tabled version, we regret that others were not, which prevents consensus to emerge.

Taking this into account, the EU cannot support the draft resolution L.5 and calls for a vote on the resolution. The EU Member States that are members of the Human Rights Council will be voting against the resolution. 

Thank you.