EU Statement - HRC60 - Item 4, General debate on human rights situ... 3 of 8 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/eu-statement-hrc60... citizens with dissenting voices. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained, including political prisoners. We remain concerned about torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in Russia and call on Russia to continue cooperating with the European Committee on the Prevention of Torture. We continue to call on Russia to abolish its repressive legislation and comply with international human rights law, and to ensure a safe and enabling online and offline environment, for all. We also call on Russia to protect online civic space and prevent internet shutdowns and online censorship, unlawful surveillance, information manipulation, disinformation and cybercrime, in full compliance with international human rights law. We call on Russia to fully implement all outstanding rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, to end its political misuse of the judiciary and law enforcement, and to uphold its domestic and international human rights obligations. Russia must ensure that all human rights violations are thoroughly, independently and impartially investigated and that perpetrators are held accountable. We call on Russia to cooperate fully with the UN, and all special procedures. The EU remains gravely concerned about the situation in Gaza as well as the continuously escalating violence in the West Bank. The EU calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of all hostages, leading to a permanent end to hostilities, with Israel’s security interests and safety for Palestinian civilians assured. We deplore the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unacceptable number of civilian casualties, the level of starvation, and the famine in parts of Gaza as stated by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report of August 2025. The EU calls on Israel to fully lift its blockade on Gaza, to allow immediate, unimpeded, safe and predictable access and sustained distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale into and throughout Gaza, and to enable the UN and its agencies, and humanitarian organisations, to work independently and impartially to save lives and reduce suffering. Israel must fully comply with its obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. The EU recalls the imperative of ensuring the protection of all civilians, including humanitarian workers, at all times, as well as of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, schools, tent camps and UN premises. The EU reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks, and deplores the refusal of Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages. The EU stresses the essential role of the UN and its agencies, notably UNRWA, which provide crucial support to the civilian population, both in Gaza and the wider region. The EU recalls UNSC resolution 2735 rejecting any attempt at demographic or territorial changes in the Gaza Strip and stressing the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. Hamas must be fully disarmed and cannot be part of any solution in Gaza. The EU recalls its opposition to any forced displacement of the Palestinian population, which would constitute a violation of 21/10/2025, 12:35