Joint Statement: XIII High Level Dialogue on Human Rights between the European Union and Brazil

The XIII High Level Dialogue on Human Rights between the European Union and Brazil took place on 7 November 2025 in Brussels. The dialogue was chaired on the EU side by EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Kajsa Ollongren, and on the Brazilian side by Secretary of Multilateral Political Affairs, Ambassador Carlos Márcio Cozendey.

The Dialogue provided a renewed opportunity for a comprehensive and fruitful exchange of views on bilateral and multilateral issues related to the respect and promotion for human rights, which are core values of the EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership.

Both sides addressed topics of shared interest, including protection of human rights defenders, gender equality and women rights, LGBTIQ+, indigenous peoples, migrants and refugees, fight against racism and hate speech, freedom of expression and protection of democratic processes including in the Internet, defence of democracy and independent and accountable institutions, human rights and the environment, fight against torture and business and human rights. They shared best practices and challenges faced in their territories in an open and constructive manner.

Brazil and EU discussed measures to promote the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, including Brazilian steps towards ratification of the Escazú agreement. Both parties agreed to continue exchanges on policies to combat racism, protection of human rights defenders and to protect the rights of children online and offline. 

The European Union and Brazil also discussed recent human rights developments in multilateral fora. In view of the debates at the United Nations Human Rights Council (in Geneva) and at the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (in New York) they addressed specific country situations, as well as other relevant issues, including the renewal of the International Decade on the Rights of People of African Descent and a human rights-based approach on digital technologies, including the right to privacy, and UN reforms related to the human rights pillar.

The Dialogue was preceded by the EU-Brazil Civil Society Seminar, held on 24 October, in which civil society and human rights organisations of both sides addressed the protection and promotion of human rights both in the European Union and Brazil, as well as exchanged best practices and proposed a series of recommendations for further joint work. 

The two sides agreed to maintain close contacts and step-up bilateral and multilateral work on the protection and promotion of human rights.

The next Dialogue will be held in Brazil, in 2026.