HRC62 - EU Statement - Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

62nd session

Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression 

17 June 2026

EU Statement

Mister President,

The European Union welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s final report on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. We thank her for her work over the years as her mandate comes to an end.

As this Council has reaffirmed many times, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to seek, access and impart information and ideas of all kinds, is one of the essential foundations of democratic, peaceful and inclusive societies. In an increasingly digital world, this right remains indispensable for the protection of all human rights, the functioning of democratic institutions and meaningful public participation.

However, as you rightfully lay out in your report, freedom of expression is facing unprecedented challenges. The manipulation of information online, the amplification of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech pose significant risks to the integrity of the information and to the enjoyment of human rights.

Therefore, the EU is working closely with Member States, international organizations, the private sector and civil society to promote and protect freedom of expression online and offline. This includes supporting independent and pluralistic media, protecting journalists and human rights defenders, against threats and attacks, including transnational repression and advancing a human rights-based approach to digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

Madam Special Rapporteur, you conclude in your report that addressing the growing imbalance of power between States, digital platforms and AI companies requires stronger regulation, accountability and broad multi-stakeholder cooperation grounded in international human rights law.

Could you elaborate on the most effective measures that States can take, to ensure that digital platforms and AI technologies support rather than undermine freedom of expression and other human rights?

Thank you.