HRC63 - EU Statement - HRC63 Item 4 Human Rights Situations tha...
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https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/hrc63-eu-statemen...
for international media, and reverse its decision regarding the NGO registration law so that
NGOs can continue their important work, including fulfilling their humanitarian mandate.
Hamas must be fully disarmed and cannot be part of any solution in Gaza. The EU strongly
condemns the continued and growing settler violence against Palestinian civilians. Israel
must make further efforts to prevent settler violence. The EU calls on the Government of
Israel to reverse the expansion of settlements, which are illegal under international law, and
to refrain from any annexation and to hold violent settlers accountable. The EU stresses
that businesses should not bid for construction contracts for E1 or other settlement
developments and underlines the legal and reputational consequences for businesses
participating in settlement construction, including the risk of serious breaches of
international law. The EU is deeply concerned by the adoption of the Death Penalty Bill by
the Israeli Parliament and the discriminatory character of the law. We urge Israel to abide by
its previous principled position and with its obligations under international law as
occupying power, as well as its commitment to human rights and to democratic principles,
as reflected in the provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The EU continues to
support the Commission of Inquiry and other relevant OHCHR mandates. The EU reaffirms
its unwavering support for the international criminal justice system, particularly to the
International Criminal Court, as well as its commitment to upholding the Rome Statute and
preserving the ICC’s independence and integrity.
The EU reiterates its firm commitment to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace based
on the two-state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side-byside in peace within secure and recognised borders. The EU recalls the adoption by the UN
General Assembly of the 'New York Declaration' and relevant UN Security Council
Resolutions.
The human rights situation in Iran remains deeply alarming with Iranian people also
exposed to the consequences of the war. The EU condemns the persistently high rate of
executions, with 2025 recording the highest number in years. The authorities have further
intensified the use of the death penalty as a tool to silence dissent, including against
individuals arrested in connection with the January 2026 and the 2022 protests. The
arbitrary detention of peaceful protesters, activists and human rights defenders is of grave
concern. Restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression, offline and online, and other
civil and political rights are unacceptable. The systematic discrimination, in law and in
practice, against women and girls and persons belonging to religious, linguistic and ethnic
minorities remains equally troubling. The EU calls on the Iranian regime to cease the
violence and repression, including transnational repression, against its own people and to
respect the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people,
including the right to choose their own future. Full cooperation with the independent
international Fact Finding Mission remains essential. The EU reiterates its full support to
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