UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

59^th session

Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons

20 June 2025

EU statement

Madame Special Rapporteur,

The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur for her insightful report, which addresses the increasingly urgent issue of internal displacement in the context of organized criminal activity.

We are deeply concerned by the growing number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are forced to flee due to armed conflict or natural disasters, but also due to pervasive violence by criminal groups and the erosion of rule of law. These situations, while often overlooked, present grave risks to the human rights, dignity, and safety of affected populations.

The EU strongly supports a human rights-based approach to internal displacement. Recognition of displacement in the context of organized criminal activity and strengthened protection frameworks are crucial to address the specific vulnerabilities of affected populations, including persons in vulnerable situations, women, children, and marginalized communities.

We urge states to fully implement the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and to ensure that responses to displacement caused by organized crime uphold human rights and prioritize protection, access to justice and accountability, and the provision of durable solutions.

Madame Special Rapporteur,

In the context where displacement is driven by organized crime and generalized violence, ensuring accountability and durable solutions can be especially complex. How can IDPs be meaningfully included in these processes – from justice to accountability efforts to the design and implementation of long-term solutions – so that their rights, needs, and voices are fully reflected?

Thank you.